Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will and I appreciate that. There are many towns and villages seeking an upgrade of wastewater treatment facilities, sewerage systems, etc. There are a number of towns, particularly in tourism areas, where applications are lodged but the response is that they are premature ahead of the upgrading of wastewater and sewerage systems. The problem is these villages are being left behind. I can think of two examples, and it can be very frustrating for the people in the village involved if there are people willing to spend money to extend businesses and develop badly needed housing, but if an application is made, the response is that it is premature ahead of the infrastructure being developed. What criteria are used to identify and proceed with these developments, particularly in rural tourism areas? I know Clare County Council is so frustrated by schemes now that it has applied through the rural regeneration programme for two schemes in County Clare, with one in Broadford and another in Cooraclare. To be frank, many people would argue the rural regeneration scheme is not the appropriate vehicle to provide for this type of scheme and it is the responsibility of the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. These questions are for Irish Water and the Department. What is happening with these schemes and will communities just be left on the long finger indefinitely?