Vol. 473 No. 4
269 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for the Environment when he will make a decision on the Dundrum bypass, Dublin 14; if his attention has been drawn to the acute need for this by pass, which has been on the drawing board for over 20 years; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that unless this bypass is approved and funded shortly, it may not be possible to begin work this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1511/97]
Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council has submitted compulsory purchase orders for the acquisition of land for the Dundrum Main Street by-pass and the Ballinteer Road/Wyckham bypass improvement schemes and has applied for approval on environmental grounds. A public local inquiry into objections received by me against confirmation of the compulsory purchase orders and into the propriety of confirming the orders in so far as they relate to the extinguishment of public rights-of-way was held between 3-5 December 1996 and evidence in relation to the likely effects on the environment was heard. On receipt of the inspector's report on the inquiry, there will be no avoidable delay on my part in making a decision on the matter.
