asked the Minister for the Environment when an application was received by his Department from Dublin County Council for the erection of public lighting at the Ballough junction of the main Dublin-Belfast road; and whether he is now prepared to approve this application and to allocate the necessary moneys.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin-Belfast Road Lighting.
17.
An application was received in my Department from Dublin County Council on 15 February 1980 in respect of a scheme of public lighting at the location referred to in the question. Following correspondence with the council, my Department was informed on 6 May 1980 that, in the council's view, it would be desirable to provide public lighting on the entire route from the city to the Meath county boundary. An engineering report, including a cost-benefit analysis study was received from the council on 19 December 1980 and is being examined.
I will communicate with the county council in the matter as soon as practicable.
Would the Minister say when he received the application for the public lighting at Ballough?
As I said, for the specific area of Ballough it was 6 May but, following correspondence, an engineering report, including a cost-benefit analysis of the whole road from Swords to the county boundary, was carried out and came to the Department on 19 December last.
The question relates to public lighting at Ballough, not to public lighting anywhere else. Can the Minister say whether or not he is going to sanction the public lighting at Ballough?
In the light of the sum of money involved in the report of extending public lighting from Swords to the Meath county boundary of somewhere around £750,000 it appears unlikely that that would proceed. I am having a survey carried out, not alone in regard to Ballough but in regard to Blake's Cross and a number of other areas, and Ballough will be included.
Can the Minister say whether he has received an application for sanction for public lighting from the local authority with responsibility for public lighting at those other junctions?
I have received a request for the whole route from Swords to the county boundary.
No, has the Minister got a specific application in respect of any other junctions?
At every junction right along the route.
The Minister has not answered the question.
I am not responsible for the Minister's replies. I have allowed four supplementaries on one question and I think that is reasonable.