asked the Minister for the Environment if he will sanction the construction of the Southern Cross route, Dublin and its associated green routes, together with the Dundrum by-pass, as the construction of a proper road network in the south Dublin area is long overdue and suburban development in this area has long since outstripped the road network's ability to cope with the volume of traffic; and whether he intends seeking funding from the EC regional fund towards this cost.
Written Answers. - Southern Cross (Dublin) Route.
36.
The alignment of the Southern Cross route proposed by Dublin County Council was approved by my Department in May 1986, without prejudice to any statutory procedures that may arise. The preparation of detailed plans for the route and proposals for acquisition of necessary land is now a matter for the local authority. As regards the Dundrum by-pass, I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 238 of 19 October 1988.
The Southern Cross route is included in the National Programme of Community Interest "Road Development in Ireland", which was approved in December 1987 for a grant commitment of £194.4 million from the European Regional Development Fund. It is my intention that EC funds would also be sought in respect of road schemes to relieve traffic congestion in Dundrum.