asked the Minister for the Environment the arrangements which are in place for the sanding of public roadways by local authorities to combat the effect of adverse weather conditions; and if he is satisfied with such arrangements.

Responsibility for the maintenance of public roads, including such treatment as is considered necessary to combat the effects of adverse weather conditions, rests with each local authority.

In 1982, my Department issued a memorandum to each local authority containing guidelines for the maintenance of essential services in blizzard conditions. Arising from the issue of that memorandum, each local authority has prepared a contingency plan to deal with the effects of adverse weather conditions in its area.

Local authorities are reminded each year, before the onset of winter, to revise and update their plans for dealing with the effects of snow and ice. In October 1987, the local authorities were asked, in particular, to maintain adequate stocks of materials, including salt, and to ensure adequate availability of plant and machinery for clearing roads of snow and ice.

The costs incurred by local authorities in the salting of national roads may be charged against State grants for national road maintenance.

Is the Minister aware that the local authority charged with responsibility for national primary roads leading into the capital city have embarked on a policy this winter of not sanding or gritting roads until after 8 a.m. because of the Government cutbacks and in the event of the present weather conditions continuing this will create extreme problems for people journeying to work each morning? Will the Minister ensure that this extremely important work will be attended to in advance of commuters attempting to make their way to their workplace?

Yes. I would like to say to the Deputy that the restriction on overtime as far as that matter is concerned has been waived.

Has been waived?

Yes.

Is the Minister aware that it was not waived as late as yesterday?

That is because you have a good Minister on top of the job.

There is a blizzard forecast for tonight.

That disposes of question for today.

As Question Time has elapsed, it would be best if Question No. 46, which is the final Priority Question, be listed for priority on the next occasion on which questions for the Minister for the Environment come to be answered.

That will be done.

I wish to raise on the Adjournment the subject matter of Question No. 39 on today's Order Paper.

I will communicate with the Deputy in respect of that matter. We will now resume on item No. 18.