asked the Minister for the Environment the up-to-date position regarding the provision of a by-pass road at Naas, County Kildare; and when it is expected work will be completed.
Written Answers. - Naas, County Kildare, By-pass.
155.
As I informed the House on 4 March 1980 in reply to a previous question by Deputy Deasy, I approved of detailed proposals submitted by Kildare County Council for the Naas by-pass on 30 September 1978 and on 29 May 1979 I approved of the Naas by-pass motorway made by the county council.
The council have recently invited tenders for the construction of the earthworks and drainage portion of the scheme. The closing date for the receipt of the tenders is 11 July 1980. I understand that tenders received for two overbridges, which form part of the project, are at present under consideration by the consultants engaged by the council for this work.
Negotiations for the acquisition of the necessary lands are still continuing and I understand that certain preliminary works have commenced.
Grants totalling £2,605,000 have been allocated to date for the project and I hope to be in a position to make further allocations to ensure its completion within the time scale projected in the Road Development Plan for the 1980s, which is 1980 to 1984.