asked the Minister for Local Government if proposals for reducing traffic hazards on the Inchicore Road have been submitted to his Department by Dublin Corporation; if so, what these proposals are; and when he expects these proposals to be implemented.
Ceisteanna — Questions Oral Answers. - Dublin Traffic Hazards.
70.
I have not received any proposals from Dublin Corporation for the improvement of Inchicore Road.
I brought this question to the attention of the Minister's predecessor and he agreed that it was the worst road in the country and that it posed a very serious traffic hazard. I live on this road and I see accidents occurring regularly. I have been eight years writing to Dublin Corporation asking them for even a pedestrian crossing and I have not succeeded in obtaining that. The only thing I succeeded in getting was an agreement that they would provide a plan. Then I was told they would provide a plan to make it one-way traffic. I asked them even to put up notices saying that it was a hazard and to go slowly. The only thing I saw was a white line drawn. This has been erased by now. There have been serious accidents here. The record is terribly bad and the Minister's predecessor promised that he would have this looked at urgently. I brought this to the attention of Dublin Corporation, I brought it to the attention of the Garda authorities, and I am still not getting any satisfaction.
Arising from a supplementary question on 30th October, 1969, my predecessor undertook to bring the remarks of Deputy O'Connell to the notice of Dublin Corporation and the corporation's reply of 21st November, 1969, was as follows:
The traffic study group at its meeting of 25th September, 1969, considered the question of traffic conditions at the junction of Inchicore Road/South Circular Road to Kilmainham Cross. The study group recommended that the location be examined with a view to reducing the level of the roads concerned to eliminate the existing reverse camber. This matter is at present being examined by the paving engineer.
The Department are not officially aware of any further developments since then.
That is only at one junction. I would seriously ask the Minister, before there is a fatality there, to ask Dublin Corporation to do something as a matter of urgency. I have been told by the Garda authorities that they have made recommendations to the corporation. Would the Minister do something about this?
I am not the responsible authority for bringing matters of this nature to the notice of the local authority.
I brought it to the notice of Dublin Corporation. I got no satisfaction. I brought it to the attention of the Garda authorities. They have been more than sympathetic and have asked that the matter be treated as one of urgency. I cannot cross that road. There are three bends and it is impossible to cross the road. My children are endangering their lives on this road. The residents of the area have asked for protection and they have been asking for years. Must we wait for a fatality before the Minister will take emergency measures? There is danger at four different places on this road. As this is the main road in from the Naas Road, would the Minister not look into the matter urgently?
Yes, as long as the Deputy knows that the Minister is not the authority who is causing the alleged delay, I will contact the authority to see if there is any further information. I will contact the corporation and find out if there has been any further communication since I obtained this information.
Would the Minister find out also if the Garda authorities have sent recommendations to Dublin Corporation?
No, I think——
Question No. 71.