169 Mr. Leonard asked the Minister for the Environment if his Department has carried out a value for money assessment on road surfacing between tarmacadam and tar and chip. [9770/97]

These road treatments are used for different purposes. Tar and chips, "surface dressing," seals a road and improves skid resistance, whereas tarmacadam is used for road reconstruction purposes and is laid to a much greater depth than is involved in surface dressing.

I understand that the question may relate also to a treatment which includes the laying of broken stone with a double surface dressing. It is a matter for the local authority to decide whether this treatment would be appropriate and cost-effective in particular cases.