asked the Minister for the Environment if he will approve the proposals of the Dublin County Council for the Southern Cross road route.
10.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Southern Cross Road Route.
9.
asked the Minister for the Environment his policy with regard to the proposals of the Southern Cross Route Study Group; when a decision will be reached by him in this matter; and if he is aware that these proposals have been approved by the Dublin County Council.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 10 together.
The proposals of the Dublin County Council referred to by the Deputy were received in my Department on 13th September, 1977. These proposals are related to the major road recommendations contained in the Dublin Transportation Study, a general review of which was requested of the City and County Manager. It would not be appropriate to take a decision on a particular element in the transportation study recommendations pending completion and examination of the City and County Manager's review of the whole matter.
Is the Minister aware that the study group who prepared the suggestion in regard to the Southern Cross route were assured by letter of 8th June, 1977, that their request for support for the proposals of the Dublin County Council had the unanimous support of the Fianna Fáil Party, including the now Taoiseach, who had personally intervened to assure Senator Eoin Ryan that he could convey that approval and support to the group?
I am aware.
With that awareness does the Minister consider that his reaction now to the questions which Deputy Keating and I have put down is adequate and will satisfy the inhabitants of South County Dublin and West County Dublin who are likely to be affected?
I said that I am awaiting the answer to a report which was referred to in a previous question.
Am I to take it that the pledge of support that the Minister's party gave in this regard is now being withdrawn or dishonoured?
No.
What does it amount to?
I am awaiting the report and when I get it we will make decisions.
(Interruptions.)
The Minister's party and side were able to pledge their unqualified support without awaiting anything. Is the situation now that this support is being withdrawn, provisionally at least, until the report has been considered?
No, we have been in the habit since 5th July of fulfilling our pledges and promises, particularly my Department.
The people will decide on that. I am asking about one pledge and I want to know if the people of South and West County Dublin may take it that that pledge is now being dishonoured.
Deputy Kelly has asked this question four times.
How does the Minister relate the unequivocal pledge given prior to the election in the letter which is in our possession——
That is the same question.
How does he relate that pledge, which was uequivocal and unqualified, with his now qualified but very ambiguous assertion that the pledge is now in existence but he is awaiting a report? Is it possible that the report may result in the pledge being withdrawn?
No.
(Interruptions.)
I said that I am awaiting this report——
For what.
——from the Dublin City and County Manager—it was requested by my predecessor—and since I am awaiting it it is inappropriate to comment until I study it.
The Minister's predecessor and Deputy Kelly gave no commitment whatsoever to the Southern Cross route.
Does the Minister mean that there will be no Southern Cross motorway?
I did not say any such thing.
He did say the pledge still stood.
We fulfil our pledges.
When does the Minister expect to receive this review from the City and County Manager and will he do anything to expedite it?
I will do something to expedite it.
Question No.11.
I want to ask one more question.
The Deputy has asked six already. We are getting away from the original question.