andMr. Carty asked the Minister for Local Government what progress has been made with regard to the provision of a new bridge over the River Shannon at Banagher, County Offaly.

The application by Offaly County Council for a Bridge Order under the Local Government Act, 1946, for the reconstruction of Banagher Bridge has been the subject of a local inquiry and is at present being considered in conjunction with a number of similar applications relating to other Shannon bridges. There are some complex issues affecting these projects, including the question of navigational clearance and the problem of Shannon flooding. A final decision on the council's application for a bridge order will be taken as soon as the issues referred to permit.