asked the Minister for the Environment if he will indicate, in view of the urgency of the need for such a development and the present state of Redmond Bridge, Waterford, when he will grant a bridge order for the proposals before him in respect of the second bridge for Waterford city; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Waterford Bridge.
444.
The statutory procedure obtaining with an application for a bridge order normally involves the holding of a local inquiry and it is not possible for me to anticipate the outcome of any such proceedings. Updated proposals by Waterford Corporation for the construction of a new bridge over the Suir were received in my Department on 5 October 1978. Because of the magnitude and complexities of the project, these latest proposals require detailed examination in consultation with officers of the corporation. There will be no undue delay, however, in completing this examination.
I might add that a grant allocation of £200,000 was made to Waterford Corporation in the current year for essential repairs to Redmond Bridge and the provision of dolphins.