Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Oct 1992

Vol. 424 No. 5

Written Answers. - N4 Curlews (Sligo) Project.

Edward Nealon

Question:

144 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the proposed new N4 Curlew mountains crossing near Ballinafad, County Sligo which cuts through some of the best farms in the area; whether all alternative routes have been explored; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Edward Nealon

Question:

174 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for the Environment if he has studied the environmental impact statement on the proposed new N4 Curlew mountains crossing in Counties Sligo and Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Edward Nealon

Question:

175 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for the Environment the general engineering principles governing the choice of route by Sligo and Roscommon County Councils for the proposed N4 Curlew mountains crossing.

Edward Nealon

Question:

176 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for the Environment the total estimated cost of the new Curlew mountains crossing (N4).

Edward Nealon

Question:

177 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for the Environment when it is expected that a final decision will be made on the route of the new Curlew mountains N4 crossing in Counties Sligo and Roscommon; when work will commence on the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Smith)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 144 and 174 to 177, inclusive, together.

On 29 July 1992, Roscommon County Council submitted an environmental impact statement to me in respect of the proposed N4 Curlews project and applied for certification in accordance with article 38 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Regulations, 1990. Public notice of this application was given in the local press by the local authority on 7 August 1992 and interested members of the public had the opportunity of making submissions to me in the matter within one month of the date of the notice. The environmental impact statement and all submissions received are currently under examination and a decision will be made by me as soon as possible.

Roscommon and Sligo County Councils have, over the years, examined the possibilities for upgrading or replacing the existing N4 route across the Curlews mountains. In all, more than a dozen possibilities were considered. Three routes which the councils considered most favourable on engineering and economic grounds were included for further study in the environmental impact statement. Environmental aspects were also borne in mind.

The estimated cost of the route recommended in the environmental impact statement is £17 million. The timing of construction would obviously depend on the outcome of the statutory procedures involved. In view of my quasi-judicial role in relation to the scheme it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.