Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 10 Mar 1993

Vol. 427 No. 7

Written Answers. - Eastern By-pass.

Tony Gregory

Ceist:

87 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for the Environment if the detailed cost report supporting the estimated cost of the Eastern Bypass of £268.25 million and its Northern leg as £104.2 million has been received by him; if it will be published; and if a copy will be made available in the Oireachtas library.

Tony Gregory

Ceist:

88 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for the Environment if it is the intention to build the Northern leg of the Eastern Bypass or if the commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government, 1993-1997, that the Eastern Bypass will not be proceeded with precludes work on any section of the bypass.

Tony Gregory

Ceist:

89 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for the Environment if it is his intention to consider the northern leg of the Eastern Bypass, County Dublin, as a port access route; the daily traffic volumes it is anticipated would use this route, specifying the port traffic element and the commercial vehicle element; and if details of the proposed connections with local roads in the East Wall area are available.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. M. Smith)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 87, 88 and 89 together.

The Programme for a Partnership Government makes it clear that there will be no Eastern Bypass, but also commits the Government to provide an efficient access route to Dublin Port. With that in mind, the Dublin Transportation Initiative has been asked to urgently complete its evaluation of the three remaining post access options:

—the Port Access Route (Northern Section) — from N1 (Belfast Road) at Whitehall to the North Port;

—an east/west tunnel from Island-bridge to Dublin Port;

—a dedicated truckway along the Royal Canal railway line;

and to report on its findings and recommendations before the end of April 1993. Questions such as traffic volumes and local road connections fall to be addressed in the DTI report which will be published.

The technical appendices to Dublin Corporation's "Dublin Port Access and Eastern Relief Route" study, which underpin the cost estimates referred to, have been received in my Department and are available for inspection in the Corporation's offices. It is a matter for the Corporation to decide if these appendices should be published. I am, however, arranging to have a copy placed in the Oireachtas Library.