asked the Minister for the Environment the reason for the construction of a dual-carriageway on the national primary road, from the dry arc, Letterkenny to Pluck; the need for it; the cost to complete it; and the purpose it will serve.

In light of the Deputy's question, I am arranging to have the need for a dual-carriageway at this location reexamined. The scheme, as proposed, and which commenced in 1985, would cost an estimated £8.7 million.

Has a cost analysis been carried out and has the benefit been assessed?

Donegal County Council suggested at a public inquiry that the traffic volume for that section of road would require that it be built as a dual-carriageway. The road was designed to cater for expected traffic volume in the year 2003, which is standard road design practice. My Department asked the local authority to examine the economic implicaiton of phasing the construction of the dualled section and starting the road as a single leg at this stage. As a result of the Deputy's question I have asked for a reexamination as to whether there is necessity for the road to be dualled.