asked the Minister for Local Government the up-to-date position regarding the provision of a new bridge at Kinsale, County Cork.
108.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Kinsale Bridge.
107.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will provide an up-to-date report on the Kinsale bridge project, County Cork.
109.
asked the Minister for Local Government the latest position in the preparation of plans for the building of the western bridge at Kinsale, County Cork; and if he will make a full statement on the matter.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 107, 108 and 109 together.
The report of the inspector who held the public local inquiry into the application of Cork County Council for a bridge order has been received. I have sent a draft bridge order to Cork County Council and to other interests concerned and I am awaiting their observations.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary say when it is likely that this work will be advertised for contract? Could we go on the assumption that there will be no local delays as all pressures are being used to get this work to contract and get it under way without delay?
That is for the local authority as they have been asked to comment on a draft bridge order.
When the bridge order is made——
That will be another day's work. Did you consider the draft bridge order yet?
The Parliamentary Secretary can ascertain from his file that at first the bridge order was thought to be unnecessary. After two years another view prevailed and the bridge order will now be made. When is it likely that this work will be advertised for contract? Are any funds available for this work in the current year?
Are you afraid of something?
I am afraid money has not been allocated for the bridge.
We cannot try to alleviate your fears until you deal with the draft bridge order.
This is not a question which should be answered like that. The Parliamentary Secretary knows——
If the Deputy insists on having fears I cannot dispel them at this stage.
——that the three Deputies concerned are being pestered to try to get this work under way. We have asked questions on this matter. Is it likely that this work will be advertised next year? That is a fair question.
I am not prepared, off the top of my head, in reply to a question, of which I got no notice, to give an answer to that.
You have an up-to-date report.
The up-to-date report is that the matter is one for the local authority to take the next step in the procedure, and in the next absence of that step I am not prepared to go into the whole story.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary bear in mind that the existing bridge is very dangerous? There is a likelihood of its collapse in the not too distant future. Having regard to the urgency of this matter and the necessity for erecting this bridge at the earliest possible date, will he not ensure that his Department will co-operate with the local authority, the Cork County Council, to ensure that this work will be carried out as early as it is possible to do so?
If it makes the Deputy happy, we will co-operate.