Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 Nov 2003

Vol. 575 No. 3

Written Answers. - Planning Issues.

Phil Hogan

Question:

216 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his Department objected to the location of the preferred route of the motorway proposal M9 at Ballyreddin, Bennettsbridge, County Kilkenny, at the time of the consultation process; if so, the precise nature of the objection; if no representations were made to him by a company (details supplied) to seek his support against the provision of the motorway route at this location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28117/03]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. D. Ahern)

There is a dolomite mine and significant future reserves of that mineral in the area of Maddoxtown, County Kilkenny. The Department wrote to Kilkenny County Council on 29 August 2002 objecting to any route of the proposed N9-N10 road which would interfere with working of the mine or sterilise future development of the mineral reserves. Representations on the matter were not made to me by the company concerned. This subject has been dealt with in the reply delivered to Question No. 318 on 11 November last, and also in an Adjournment matter of 4 November.