Batt O'Keeffe (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

While this undoubtedly seems lengthy, the contractors will have to draw up and price, from scratch, a detailed design and specification, a construction programme, and a long-term operational and maintenance strategy. They will be required to demonstrate that they can supply the people of Ennis with a consistently high quality drinking water supply for the next 20 years that will be delivered at an economic cost to the council and to the non-domestic consumers who will have to pay for it. The design phase will take until next March. It quite simply cannot be completed any sooner without compromising the outcome to the long-term detriment of the town.

The contractors' bids will then have to be evaluated by the council and by the Department in order to select the best all round solution. Each of the bids will be different and the detailed technical assessments that will be needed to select the optimum proposal will take until the end of June. Construction and commissioning will take about 15 months and the new treatment plant should be operational by October 2007.

I do not wish to see the people of Ennis living under the threat of "boil water" notices in the meantime. In that regard, Clare County Council has advised my Department that it is investigating the availability of temporary treatment facilities. My Department will provide any help we can to the council with interim remedial measures. I also understand that, in the event of further disruption, the council will look at the provision of tankers to relieve the situation. The current "boil water" notice is expected to be lifted by the weekend.

A separate scheme, the Ennis water supply augmentation scheme, will provide Ennis with a supplementary water supply from Castlelake, and is approved for construction in my Department's water services investment programme. The department has already approved Clare County Council's proposals to lay some of the pipes for this scheme, at an estimated cost of €5.34 million, in conjunction with the Ennis bypass.

I am acutely conscious of the present highly unsatisfactory situation regarding the Ennis water supply. The Department is helping the council to bring about the earliest possible solution. We maintain close contact with the council and will be available at all times to offer whatever assistance and advice we can.

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