asked the Minister for Local Government if there are any proposals before his Department for the acquisition of lands for the building of a motorway between Drogheda and Dublin.
67.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin-Belfast Road.
66.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will consider imposing a speed limit on the main Dublin-Belfast Road between Cloughran and Balbriggan, County Dublin.
68.
asked the Minister for Local Government if there are any plans before his Department for the re-alignment and improvement of the main Dublin-Belfast Road between Pinnock Hill, Swords, and Balbriggan, County Dublin.
I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 66, 67 and 68 together.
There are no proposals before me for the construction of a motorway between Drogheda and Dublin or for the acquisition of land specifically for such a motorway. Improvements designed to provide extra traffic capacity on sections of the existing road are being carried out or being examined. Land required for the improvement of the section Pinnock Hill to Swords is included in a compulsory purchase order made by the Dublin County Council. A public local inquiry into the propriety of confirming this order was held last week and a decision will be made as soon as possible.
The question of applying a speed limit is under consideration. The facts before me, however, do not indicate that a speed limit of itself could be relied on to reduce the accident rate but I have arranged to have this case specially examined.
69.
asked the Minister for Local Government if a decision has yet been reached on the type of road to be built between Dublin and Balbriggan, County Dublin.
I would refer the Deputy to the reply I gave to Questions Nos. 66, 67 and 68 by Deputy Foley about this road. Pending the formulation by the county council of firm proposals for dealing with estimated future traffic needs on this route, the council are raising the standard of the existing road with the aid of their annual road improvement grants.