Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have had a lot of engagement with people living around Lough Funshinagh. They are exceptional people who have been through very difficult times. There is currently an injunction in place for the main scheme in Lough Funshinagh. This requires Roscommon County Council to make an application to the board on the main scheme itself. Subject to that being granted, the council would have to go back into court to get the injunction lifted to enable the remainder of the scheme to be completed. About two thirds of the pipe is laid. When I looked at this I realised it would take a period of time, with process. Working with my officials and with the support of the Taoiseach, I made a decision to put an interim measure in place for the people of Lough Funshinagh. The Deputy will appreciate my reticence because there is an application before the board at the moment for an interim measure to deal with the situation in Lough Funshinagh until the planning permission for the main scheme goes through. We are awaiting a decision from An Bord Pleanála on that at the moment. This is something I worked on with the OPW, Roscommon County Council, the consultants and, in particular, the people of Lough Funshinagh. I have met the people three or four times. In a nutshell, we have to have a main scheme but we also have to cater for the period until the main scheme is completed. I feel very strongly about this and Lough Funshinagh is a classic example of it.