asked the Minister for Local Government what progress has been made in relation to the reconstruction of the Dublin-Stillorgan-Foxrock-Shankill-Bray motorway.

I have approved in principle the proposals of Dublin Corporation and Dublin County Council for the improvement of this road from Donnybrook to Loughlinstown; this, of course, is subject to the satisfactory acquisition of the necessary land. Both authorities have taken steps towards the compulsory acquisition of land to enable work to proceed on parts of this section of the route.

I understand that Dublin County Council are studying the treatment of the remainder of the route. The proposals in all cases are for the improvement of the road to dual carriageway and not motorway standard.

Is the Minister not aware that in the year 1948 it was proposed to construct a modern motorway from Dublin to Bray and that that proposition was killed by the first Coalition Government?

That was the year that you gave a shilling a week increase to the road workers of Dublin.

In reply to Deputy MacEntee, I am so aware.

Could the Minister give some indication as to when the improvement of this road will be concluded? This is a saga that has been going on for decades. Certainly, we should like some concrete data as to when the work will be completed.

The former obstructive attitude of Dublin County Council has now changed.

I am glad to hear that.

The Minister's obstructive attitude is going to be changed soon, from what we hear.

(Cavan): Will he be here for the Adjournment?

24.

asked the Minister for Local Government if, in view of the number of serious accidents occurring on the roadway outside Cabinteely village entering the dual carriageway towards Shankill, he will instruct the local authority to take immediate steps to reconstruct this roadway to ensure the safety of motorists and pedestrians.

Responsibility for the formulation and execution of proposals for the improvement of the section of road referred to rests with the Dublin County Council, who are the responsible road authority. I understand that the location is on the site of the major improvement scheme for this route for which the council have to acquire land but that in the meantime the council are considering the desirability of a minor interim improvement.

Could the Minister say what will be the nature of this minor interim improvement? This is a part of the road on which there has been quite a number of serious accidents in the past year.

The Deputy will have to ask me a separate question about that—improvement to the substandard curve at the particular point.

Surely, this would be a matter for the county council and by bringing out a machine or two the county council could do it overnight? It is a matter of extreme urgency.

It is a matter about which there will have to be some design and they are investigating the feasibility of making some urgent improvements at that particular point.

Maybe, if the Minister made representations to the chairman of the county council——

I do not recall any particular anxiety being displayed on the part of any Fianna Fáil councillor in this area.

Why do you not do your own job?

Deputy Burke was chairman last year. Why did not he do it?

Will Deputies allow questions to continue? Question No. 25.