asked the Minister for the Environment if he will ensure that in the construction of the proposed new coast road, the bird sanctuary opposite Trimbleston, Booterstown, County Dublin will be preserved and protected.

The planning and construction of new roads is a matter for the road authority, in this case Dublin County Council. For my part, I am anxious that road works, including new roads, harmonise with the environment and cause minimum interference with local amenities or with important local features and, accordingly, I have reminded road authorities of the need to take these factors into consideration when road works are being designed.