Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Considering the different levels of treatment, the study found that more than 50% of all plant and equipment at the eight primary treatment works was in condition grade 4 or 5 and 18% of the mechanical and electrical plant at the 82 secondary treatment works, excluding those with nutrient reduction factors, was in a similar condition. Grade 4 means serious structural deterioration and grade 5 means that the assets have collapsed or are derelict.

When the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Deputy Roche, visited Galway, his answers were far from satisfactory. The water and sewerage services capital budget has declined in recent years. Investment totalled €506 million in 2001, €487 million in 2002, €449 million in 2003, €439 million in 2004, €417 million in 2005 and €399 million in 2006. A significant proportion, over 50%, of these plants were in a seriously deteriorated condition or had collapsed, which was well known to the Department and the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The capital injection for sewage treatment services was declining. The pictures shown on television last night of a polluted lake of the scale of Lough Corrib were a national scandal.

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