asked the Minister for the Environment if he is aware of the urgent need for the finalisation of plans, and the implementation thereof, for the Shankill, County Dublin, by-pass; and if he will make a policy statement on the matter.

Dublin County Council are engaged in the planning for a motorway by-pass of Shankill and Bray. I have already provided the council with £500,000 in grants to meet their preliminary costs. The statutory procedures require the council, inter alia, to make a motorway scheme and to submit it to me for approval. In turn, I am required to cause a public local inquiry to be held into all matters relating to the scheme.

I understand that the council's formal documentation in the matter is expected to be submitted to me very shortly. It is my intention to have the statutory inquiry held at the earliest possible date and to consider the inspector's report expeditiously.