asked the Minister for Local Government if he will approve of a proposal from Cork County Council to erect a bridge at Kinsale.
68.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Kinsale Bridge.
67.
asked the Minister for Local Government the up-to-date position regarding the new western bridge at Kinsale, County Cork.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 65 and 66 together.
Contract documents for the proposed new bridge have been submitted by Cork County Council. The council has also raised a question regarding the statutory procedure to be followed in relation to the construction of the bridge. These matters are under consideration and it is hoped to reply to the county council in the near future.
Is the Minister aware of the dangerous condition of the existing bridge and of the fact that the people in Kinsale have been pressing for a new bridge for a number of years? Is it not time the work started?
The council sought legal advice as to whether or not a bridge order should be made in this particular case. This might be the most prudent course for them to adopt.
Is there any contract cost?
There is no contract cost. At a rough estimate, the total cost would be about £500,000, but there is no contract.
Can the Minister say whether this will take 12 months or two years?
I could not say because there are legal difficulties which have not yet been resolved.
On the assumption that these will be resolved——
I cannot afford to make assumptions.
——will there be a bridge there in about two years?
The Department is treating the matter as urgent.
Will the problem be there for the next Minister to solve?
I do not think so. We intend to be here for a good long time. There are a great number of houses to be built yet, you know.