Vol. 448 No. 7
56 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment the proposed timescale for the building of the northern leg of the eastern relief route and port access tunnel; the persons who will be involved in the design of this project; when this work is due to commence; and if he will give a commitment to local residents' groups to involve them in this design group. [2908/95]
Following the Government decision to proceed with the national port access route, the National Roads Authority was asked to take immediate steps to commence the necessary preparatory work in co-operation with Dublin Corporation. I propose shortly to make an order classifying the route as a proposed national road. It will then legally be a matter for the NRA to make the detailed arrangements for the design of the project and any necessary public consultation. It is likely that the route will be constructed as a motorway which would require the preparation of a motorway scheme, the holding of a public local inquiry and the carrying out of an environmental impact assessment. The Government is anxious that the project be completed as quickly as possible but, pending the conclusion of the detailed design and the statutory procedures, it would be premature to indicate a commencement date.
