In view of the major contribution which the East Link toll bridge has made to the easement of the traffic situation in Dublin, can the Minister outline for us what is the present position in regard to the proposed second toll bridge across the Liffey in the Lucan area?

In my reply I indicated proposals for a road linking the Lucan Road and the Navan Road. The Deputy will be much more conversant with that area than I am. In my reply I said that Dublin County Council had approved the toll scheme for that road at a cost of £25 million and that this scheme would start next year. That is all the information I have on that road at this time.

I am talking about the bridge, an application by the same people who built the East Link, who have an application in for a second toll bridge which everybody agrees would effect an enormous easement of traffic congestion in that area. Can the Minister tell us what is the position about that second application?

Dublin County Council approved the toll scheme for this route on 10 June 1985 and the necessary public inquiry will be held later in the year. The scheme should start next year. That is all the information I have at this stage. This is the Conor Holdings Limited proposal. I assume that the Leader of the Opposition is referring to that proposal?

I do not know what is the technical name but it is very clearcut: there is a major bridge proposed across the Liffey out in that area which is the subject of an application from private interests; I do not know what their name is. What is the position about that application? Is the Minister aware that the first toll bridge, the East Link, is making an enormous contribution to easing the traffic situation in Dublin? I hope we will not have the same long period of delay in having the second toll bridge brought in operation.

I think I am right in referring to the Conor Holdings Limited proposal as being the one in respect of the bridge to which the Deputy is adverting. The Government have no objection to the proposal received from Conor Holdings Limited and the relevant scheme should start next year.

The Chair must point out that the question deals with the delay in commencing the proposed major road improvement projects listed to commence in 1985.