asked the Minister for the Environment the proposals his Department have to instruct Westmeath County Council to engage in discussions with the residents of Kinnegad regarding the proposed bypass of the town.
136.
Written Answers. - Westmeath Bypass.
135.
asked the Minister for the Environment the time-scale which is proposed for the acquisition of lands, commencement of work and completion of projects in respect of the proposed motorway from Lucan, County Dublin to Kinnegad, County Westmeath.
I am taking Questions Nos. 135 and 136 together.
It is proposed that the section of the N4 route between Lucan and Kinnegad, will be improved to motorway standard. Three motorway schemes are involved, i.e. Lucan to Kilcock, Kilcock to Kinnegad and Kinnegad bypass.
A public inquiry must be held in accordance with the Local Government (Road and Motorway) Act, 1974, into all aspects of a proposed motorway scheme before the Minister for the Environment gives his decision on the matter. In the case of the Lucan to Kilcock motorway scheme, the necessary public inquiry has been held, and in June 1988 I gave approval to Kildare County Council's proposal for this scheme. The development of the motorway proposals for the other two schemes is a matter at this stage for the local authorities concerned. A public inquiry will be held in relation to the proposals in due course.
Arising from the recent agreement between Ireland and the EC Commission on the Community Support Framework for Ireland 1989 to 1993, an operational programme for roads and other transport is being prepared. The timing of the construction of the three motorway schemes in question is being considered in the context of the preparation of the roads element of this programme.