Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 27 May 1993

Vol. 431 No. 5

Written Answers. - Northern Cross Route.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

44 Ms. Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment if, in relation to the proposed Northern Cross Route, he will give guarantees that no contracts will be entered into as a result of the recent tendering process by Dublin County Council until such time as the promised full and open consultation with all interested parties in the area affected by the proposed Ballymun interchange and link road is completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

45 Ms. Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment if, in relation to his decision of 7 February 1991, approving the Northern Cross Route, his attention has been drawn to the fact that the detailed study of the traffic implications of the proposed access route from the Northern Cross Route to the Ballymun Road, carried out by consultants (details supplied), has been shown by local residents associations to be seriously deficient especially with regard to traffic volumes, and that other studies based on these incorrect volumes, such as air and noise pollution estimates, are therefore invalidated; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. M. Smith)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 45 together.

I understand that in January 1993, Dublin Corporation undertook a process of extensive public consultation on the results of the studies of the traffic implications of the proposed access road from the Northern Cross Route to the Ballymun Road, in particular on parts of Ballymun and Glasnevin north in the corporation's administrative area. The studies, which involved the assessment of traffic aspects by consultants and the investigation of environmental issues by EOLAS, were required to identify and describe the likely significant effects on humans, on air quality and on noise levels in any areas which would experience higher traffic volumes due to the provision of the access road.

Since January, two meetings have been held between corporation officials and public and local residents association representatives. I understand that questions in relation to the traffic study which were raised at these meetings and any others submitted in writing to the corporation have been referred to the consultants. It is the corporation's intention to meet again with residents association and public representatives as soon as the consultants respond to the issues raised and in advance of the award of the contract for phase 2 of the Northern Cross Route.

It is a matter for the relevant local authority, taking full account of the studies and of the results of the public consultation process, to implement traffic management or other appropriate measures required to prevent, reduce or offset any significant adverse effects in the environment.