asked the Minister for Local Government the cause of the delay in restoring the bridge at Glenmore, Ballybofey, County Donegal which has been closed to traffic for the past 12 months.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Donegal Bridge.
32.
Donegal County Council have appointed consulting engineers to design a new bridge at this location, and the timing of this design work is a matter for the council. I have no further information on the subject.
Could the Minister assure me that money is available for the job, which is hanging over now a couple of years?
Deputy Brennan is quite well aware that until a proposal is made to the Department the question of what money would be needed or was available would not arise. I could not possibly give the assurance for which he has asked.
The bridge has not got past the planning stage yet?
No. They have merely appointed consulting engineers to design it.
A small bridge of such dimensions would not justify the services of even a consultant.
It should not, but that is what they decided to do. When the local authority have made a decision a proposal will be submitted.
Would not the Minister agree that it is a terrible indictment of Donegal County Council that a small bridge on a road which is an artery to part of the county should be left lying two years for the sake of planning?
I am glad it is a Donegalman who said it. I should hate to say that lest I should be going back to Donegal.
My information is not quite in accordance with what the Minister has told me.
Well, I have got the facts.
But Donegal County Council have not got the cash.
They have not got any plans; they cannot get the cash until they have the plans.
An assurance might suffice.
But one cannot build a bridge on an assurance; one has to have a design.
Assurance about the cash. Banks have been refusing money.
Perhaps they will change their minds about that too.