Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

——but we will both take credit if the matter is resolved. My advice is that the effect could be described as minor but I will examine the issues raised by the Deputy and the effect he says this work is having on the snap net fisheries.

On the legality of the work, I must be blunt and say that the county council should not have commenced outfall work on the foreshore until the foreshore licence was in place and it was advised as such by letter in January 2004. We are in this position now, however, and we are talking about the common good. We all favour, particularly those in Tipperary, the importance of the waste water treatment plant that was developed by South Tipperary County Council as an integral part of the local authorities programme for developing and upgrading sewage treatment facilities throughout the country. That plant came into operation last year. There is a common good factor here. It is not a question of repercussions or the blame game. After the meeting today, on which I hope to have a report fairly soon, the focus will be on ensuring that the position is regularised satisfactorily in the interests of all concerned. I hope that will be done as soon as possible.

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