asked the Minister for the Environment if he will give an assurance that urban motorways will not be constructed within the Dublin city area.

I presume the Deputy is referring to part of the motorway system recommended in the Dublin Transportation Study. The Dublin City and County Manager was asked by my predecessor to review these recommendations. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on the subject until the road authority have completed their review.

Do I understand that the Minister for the Environment is not in a position to comment on urban motorways? Is that what he is saying?

I am saying that the Dublin City and County Manager was asked by my predecessor to review the previous recommendations made by them. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on the subject until the road authority have completed their review.

I am sorry if I do not understand the Minister fully. Is he saying that he is tied by a request of the previous office-holder and that he, the Minister for the Environment, has no opinion on the question of urban motorways?

Let me repeat that I am awaiting the further report from the Dublin City and County Manager. It does not necessarily mean that I have no ideas of my own with regard to urban motorways or road structure.

That is not what is being asked.

I am answering the Deputy's question.

Then there is in effect no answer to my Question No.6. The Minister is not in a position to give an assurance to the millions in the Dublin region that no urban motorway will be constructed.

I will give no such assurance.

Some environment.

7.