185 Mr. Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment if he will sanction the proposal from Mayo County Council in order to allow work to proceed on the Swinford by-pass in County Mayo; if he will make a statement on the matter.

The major improvement projects to be brought to construction stage on national primary roads in the period 1989 to 1993 are listed in the Operational Programme on Perhiperality. These were selected having regard to the overall level of funds available for such schemes in the period and their priority rating in the context of the general criteria for selection outlined in paragraph 4.34 of the programme. On that basis, it was not possible to include the Swinford by-pass in the present programme but the project will be considered in the preparation of road plans for the period after 1993.