asked the Minister for Local Government the progress to date in the provision of the new Bray Road dual carriageway, County Dublin.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bray Road Dual Carriageway.
146.
Contract documents submitted by Dublin Corporation for the section from Nutley Park to Booterstown Avenue are under examination in my Department. I am advised that the corporation are preparing the contract documents for the section from Nutley Park to Donnybrook Church.
The development of schemes for other sections of the road is in the hands of Dublin County Council. I am considering an application by the council for the confirmation of compulsory purchase orders affecting property on the section from Priory Avenue to Whites Cross.
Is the Minister aware that the road which is the subject of this question is, if not the most heavily used road in Ireland, one of the most heavily used, and will he take some measures to expedite these contract documents so that Dublin County Council can get on with the work of widening this road? Could he give me some indication as to when he is likely to process these documents through his Department?
I am not in a position to give the Deputy any more information than what I have given him already.
Could I press the Minister further? This is a rather important traffic route in south County Dublin, in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown constituency. If the Minister were to travel this road he would see how important it is. I should like to urge the Minister to get on with the job of getting these documents out of his Department and back to the council as quickly as possible. Could he do it within this present year?
The Minister will not make any such commitment. I am sure the Deputy realises that I gave a substantial increase in the allocation to the Dublin area for road improvement works and the construction of new roads this year. This should be a sufficient indication to the Deputy of my concern and my desire to accelerate the rate of improvement in the Dublin road network. The Deputy should also appreciate that the roads within one's own constituency always seem to assume enormous importance.
We noticed that in Galway recently.
There are many other roads in the Dublin area and throughout the country which are equally in need of improvement and of substantial capital investment. I have indicated publicly that I am examining the whole question of road financing. I am having the whole question examined. I recognise the need for much greater capital investment in road construction in and around this city and other parts of the country.