asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware of the serious traffic hazard to pedestrians at the Bellevue Road/Glenageary Road/Adelaide Road junction, Dún Laoghaire; and the action, if any, he intends to take in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dún Laoghaire Traffic Hazard.
8.
The formulation of measures to deal with a specific road problem is a matter in the first instance for the road authority, acting where appropriate at the request or with the consent of the Garda.
I am sure the Minister could give some information from his brief as to the up-to-date situation. Has he made inquiries? Have his Department made inquiries as to the serious condition of this road junction? Is he aware that the road junction itself is an extremely serious traffic hazard to pedestrians who take their lives in their hands attempting to cross the sections?
The road authority can finance a pedestrian crossing or remedial works out of local funds which would not involve the Department's specific approval. Therefore, they do not have to come to me at all. No proposals have been received from Dún Laoghaire Corporation for the use of the Road Fund grants for improvement of the junction mentioned by the Deputy, either by way of road works or the provision of special facilities for pedestrians. That appears to me to say that at present there is no proposal by the local authority to do something about it. I would suggest that Deputy Andrews might take it up, even by way of motion with the local authority, because they are the people who have the right to do it. I would approve of it if it were necessary for me to give it my approval but, in this case, that does not appear to be necessary.
I should like to say that the local authority have been in touch with the Department and they have been most helpful, as they have been in every respect, but I felt the matter was of such extreme urgency it should be brought to the Minister's attention.
I hope that helps.