asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the serious condition of roads in south Cork especially in the Douglas and Carragaline areas which is due to increased traffic flow in recent years; and the action he proposes to take in the matter.

I am aware of the roads needs in the south Cork area. In the current year I have allocated grants totalling almost £2 million for specific improvement works on roads in the area to the road authorities concerned, Cork County Council and Cork Corporation. In addition I have allocated general (block) grants and maintenance grants totalling £2.77 millions to the road authorities and it is primarily a matter for them to determine the proportion of these grants to be utilised in the south Cork area.