asked the Minister for the Environment the plans his Department have to give sanction to Dundalk Urban District Council, County Louth, for phases 3 and 4 of the inner relief project; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a commitment was given by the last Government, by the then Taoiseach, Dr. Garret FitzGerald, in 1986, that the project would proceed; if he will honour that commitment; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the urban district council feel very strongly that the completion of phases 3 and 4 of the inner relief road are very urgent and very necessary having regard to the fact that phases 1 and 2 having been completed have little or no effect without the completion of the final two stages; that a large number of vehicles still have to use the Castletown river bridge which is considered to be in deteriorating condition; when sanction will be given for phases 3 and 4; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Dundalk (Louth) Inner Relief Project.
60.
My attention has been drawn to the points mentioned by the Deputy. The timing of alternative schemes which would provide additional relief of national route traffic in the Dundalk area is being considered in the context of the proposed blueprint for road development.
The question of any necessary repairs and strengthening to Castletown bridge is being examined by the local authority in consultation with my Department.