asked the Minister for the Environment if he has received any reply from the Dublin City and County Manager regarding the review of the proposed major road and motorway system for the Dublin area.
23.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Roads Development.
11.
asked the Minister for the Environment if he intends to give the financial commitments to future roads' developments in the Dublin city and county areas which were indicated as being essential in the Report of the Dublin City and County Manager submitted to him on 18 January 1978.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 23 together.
The Dublin City and County Manager recently forwarded to me his review of the major road proposals for the Dublin area, including those involved in the recommendations of the Dublin Transportation Study. The manager indicated that his review will be considered with the elected members of the local authorities involved. Preliminary examination is proceeding in my Department, but final examination will have to await the outcome of the consideration to be given to the review by the local bodies concerned.
In view of the fact that the local authorities are totally dependent on some indication of the financial provisions to be made available to them, until such time as they get some indication from the Minister's Department as to what their attitude is likely to be, proceeding with the range of activities he indicated in his reply is a useless and time-wasting exercise. Accordingly, can he give us any indication as to what his attitude is to the document received by him from the manager?
It arrived only a few weeks ago and at the moment we are examining it. I appreciate that it is fair for the manager to expect some guidelines as to what will be available. That will be the subject of discussion with my colleagues in the very near future. I appreciate the need for it.
We are not clear about this. Is the study the Minister mentioned the study he mentioned in the House before Christmas when he was being asked about the Southern Cross Route Study? In other words there are now recommendations relevant to this question of the Southern Cross Route Study which are in front of the Minister and which he is now considering. Is that right?
That is right.
What has become of the Minister's party's positive and unconditional commitment to build a road along that Southern Cross route?
That question does not arise. I can understand the Minister widening the subject but I will not permit it.
The Minister appeared to be willing to say something.
That study was referred back by my predecessor to be updated. That reached me a few weeks ago. That is what I referred to in the previous question. With regard to whether the manifesto is still in existence, it is.
In a personal letter Senator Ryan quoted the Taoiseach as giving a positive and unconditional commitment to build a road on the Southern Cross route. I want to know whether that commitment is still valid?
That question is not on the Order Paper or anything pertaining to it. If the Deputy insists on asking it he is being disorderly.
Deputy Kelly thinks he is in court.
Is the Minister aware that in the letter the City Manager addressed to him he said specifically that transportation planning cannot be undertaken in a vacuum and it is imperative to know the extent of the Government's financial commitment in the immediate future. Does the Minister consider his reply to a question of 6 February is an answer to that?
I have already said it is necessary to have some idea of the availability of finance for an under-taking such as this and, as I said in answer to Deputy Quinn, it will be discussed in the near future with my colleagues in Government. I cannot give the Deputy a commitment before that discussion.
The Minister's party gave the electorate a commitment in June.
I am sure the Minister is as concerned as we are about getting some decisions on the whole question of road systems in the Dublin area. In view of the fact that the Dublin transportation study was published in 1971, that the roadway proposals are at least four years old and that the documentation he has is virtually a repeat in large part of those proposals, could I not now ask the Minister to give this House some very specific commitment? Surely it is within his capability to say that his Department will be able to make a decision within three weeks or six weeks but, to be strung out along a line of divide which they review——
Question without argument, please.
I have no intention of binding myself to two or three weeks. Let me say that it is under very active consideration and examination. Let me add also that I have no intention of making a statement such as my predecessor made, that there will be no motorways before the year 2000. There will be better roads.
He never said that.
I beg to differ.
The Minister is kicking to touch.