Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Feb 1993

Vol. 425 No. 7

Written Answers. - Road Projects.

Edward Nealon

Question:

254 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for the Environment if in view of the fact that he requires a local public inquiry to be held into the environmental impact statement on the proposed new route of the N4 across the Curlews in counties Sligo and Roscommon, he will give the reason he has indicated to the county councils that they can go ahead with the preparation of compulsory purchase orders in connection with the preferred route and that the local public inquiry into the environmental impact statement would be held jointly with the inquiry into the compulsory purchase orders; whether holding the inquiry into the compulsory purchase orders for the preferred route before a decision on the environmental impact statement prejudices the whole issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. M. Smith)

The decision to hold one local public inquiry into the environmental impact statement and any compulsory purchase order that may arise in respect of the N4 Curlews project is in line with the practice currently applying to motorway projects and proposed to be applied to non-motorway road projects under Section 51 of the Roads Bill, 1991 as amended in Special Committee. This approach allows all issues in relation to proposed projects to be considered together and avoids any unnecessary delays in completing interrelated statutory procedures. The holding of a single local public inquiry and the concurrent determination of the environmental impact process and any necessary compulsory purchase order does not prejudice either process.

Roscommon County Council have been requested to review the environmental impact statement in the light of objections received, any new information available on sub-soil conditions and to have regard to these matters in drawing up any necessary compulsory purchase order.

Edward Nealon

Question:

255 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for the Environment if a survey will be carried out on the impact on the commercial life of Boyle, County Roscommon and Ballinfad, County Sligo of the proposed new route of the N4 across the Curlew Mountains.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. M. Smith)

There are no proposals before my Department for the carrying out of a specific survey of this kind.

Peter Barry

Question:

257 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for the Environment when work on the Bandon Road to Togher Road section of the South Ring Road in County Cork will be completed; if he anticipates any overruns on the contract; the cost to date; the total projected cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. M. Smith)

Work on the Bandon Road to Togher Road section of the South Ring Road commenced in mid-January and is scheduled for completion by December, 1994. There is no reason to anticipate any overruns on the contract at this stage. Expenditure by the county council to date on the scheme is about £0.80 million — almost entirely in respect of land acquisition and accommodation works. The estimated overall cost of this section of the South Ring Road is £7 million.

Peter Barry

Question:

258 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for the Environment when he will approve work on the proposed new trunk main from the Lough to the Mardyke in Cork city; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. M. Smith)

Preliminary proposals for this scheme are under consideration in my Department. It is not possible to say at this stage when they may be approved.