asked the Minister for the Environment the number of houses which will be affected by the new motorway plan for Dublin city and county.
359.
Written Answers. - Dublin Motorway Plans.
358.
asked the Minister for the Environment if he held discussions with Dublin Corporation prior to the decision to go ahead with the motorway plans for Dublin city and county and, if so, the details of same.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 358 and 359 together.
I am not aware of any new motorway plans for Dublin city and county. The Dublin City and County Manager was requested on 13 October 1976 to review the motorway plans for the Dublin area recommended in the Dublin Transportation Study. Following this request, discussions were held with the manager to clarify the type of review required. At these discussions the manager was informed of concern in regard to the cost, environmental and energy factors involved in the proposed motorway system. No further policy discussions have been held with the corporation on the manager's review.
In his review, which I received on 18 January 1978 the manager stated that the best approach would be to build all-purpose roads to a reduced standard on the proposed lines of the motorways, which would be capable of upgrading to motorway standard at a later date if it is so decided. He indicated that the matter would be considered by the elected members of the local authorities concerned.
The manager's review was then considered by the three road authorities concerned, Dublin Corporation, Dublin County Council and Dún Laoghaire Corporation. Dublin County Council adopted the manager's review. Dublin Corporation on 26 February 1979 adopted in principle the manager's review, including the recommendations in the review for deferment of a decision on the Royal Canal route and postponing the Fairview spur which were proposed in the Dublin Transportation Study.
The corporation, by resolution dated 2 July 1979, proposed to amend the 1976 Dublin City Draft Development Plan to incorporate, inter alia, the road proposals approved in principle on 26 February 1979. These amendments are currently on public display, and representations received will be considered by the city council before the final revision of the new plan for the city is approved.
I understand from Dublin Corporation that present indications are that approximately 100 houses may be directly affected in their administrative area by the proposed Eastern By-Pass.
I have no information on the number of houses that would be affected by the revised proposals in the manager's review for the construction of all-purpose roads on the balance of the motorway lines proposed in the Dublin Transportation Study.