Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to raise this important issue and the Minister of State for responding. Since I became a Member of this House in 1997, I have consistently raised the need to upgrade the sewerage scheme in Adare, County Limerick. The development of the village and community is severely restricted by the condition of the sewerage scheme which is overloaded. There are great opportunities for residential and tourist development in the village but these are being frustrated and restricted. Any investors wishing to complete developments have been advised that the sewage disposal system prevents such investment.

Adare is an extremely attractive village, perhaps the most beautiful in Ireland, but its vibrant tourism industry is being restricted. Any proposals to improve the tourist product of Adare and the opening up of further tourist attractions are being totally discouraged as promoters are advised that planning permission cannot be considered owing to the existing sewerage scheme's limitations. Proposals to extend a local hotel have been frustrated. The hotel is anxious to increase its capacity in terms of the number of bedrooms but this is being discouraged by the planning authority.

A new town development plan is being drawn up by Limerick County Council. This plan will be sensitive and will complement the image and atmosphere of the village. If carried out, it will improve the commerce of the town and enhance local service providers. It will be a much better village as a result. An improved sewerage scheme is vital in achieving these objectives.

Adare is served by a combined sewerage scheme constructed in 1914. The existing sewage treatment works were constructed in 1946 to serve a population of 600 persons. It now serves a population of 1,000, however, and discharges poorly treated sewage into the River Maigue. The sewerage works provide little treatment and they discharge almost raw sewage into the river. The fisheries board is very concerned about this and has informed Limerick County Council on numerous occasions that it could be prosecuted. The only saving factor is that the River Maigue is tidal in this area and quickly removes sewage from the discharge area.

The history of sewerage improvement works goes back 30 years. In December 1975, the existing system was surveyed and a proposal for adequate sewerage facilities was made. In October 1978, a report was prepared by the council's consulting engineers. Their report was completed in 1979, considered by a meeting of Limerick County Council in that year and subsequently sent to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for approval in May 1979.

The council received approval for the preparation of contract documents for the scheme in early December 1981. The tenders for site investigation were submitted to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for approval but such approval was not forthcoming. This preliminary report went out of date, regardless of all the work done, with the passage of time. In July 1986, in the meantime, land was acquired for sewage treatment works and wayleave and rights of way were obtained. In November 1992, contract documents for subsoil investigation were forwarded to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for technical assistance and in February 1993, a certificate of planning was submitted to the Department. The plan was costed in June 1993 at £3.73 million.

In 1998, Limerick County Council informed me that it was proposed to engage consultants to revise and update the reports for re-submission to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. I was also informed that any of the original route maps of this scheme would be considered out of date. I was informed in November 2000 that the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government had given approval to progress planning of the scheme and that the council was in the process of appointing consulting engineers to update the 1978 preliminary report of the scheme, which was substantially revised in 1985. I was further informed that the revised preliminary report would be completed by 2001.

On 26 January 2005, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche, informed me in this House that the Patrickswell-Adare sewerage scheme would commence construction in 2005. This did not happen and the Minister failed to honour his promise. On 9 March 2004, the former Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Cullen, informed me that the Adare sewerage scheme was approved for construction under his Department's water services investment programme 2003-2005. This Minister also failed to honour his commitment.

On 3 February 2003 the Minister, Deputy Cullen, informed me in this House that Adare sewerage scheme would commence construction in 2003 and that the revised preliminary report was approved in July 2002, yet nothing happened. Following several telephone calls, I was informed by Limerick County Council today that contract documents have been in the process for 12 months and are due to be ready by Easter. If the Minister of State advises me that a sewerage scheme will be constructed in Adare this year, he will understand I might be sceptical about that. Nevertheless, I await his reply and, hopefully, his commitment to ensuring that it is done.

With regard to the provision of sewerage schemes, the Government has failed west Limerick. Adare, Patrickswell, Askeaton, Glin, Shanagolden, Foynes, Athea, Dromcollogher and Kildimo, all in urgent need of upgraded sewerage schemes, yet none has been provided.

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