Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)

I am commenting on the Minister's reply and I assume we are in the same hunt. The Minister said part of the short-term solution to the water problem in Galway involves a proposal to transfer water from the Luimnagh scheme at Corrandulla to Galway. I have no problem with the policy in this regard in the short term but I would like to draw the Minister's attention to the mid-Galway group scheme, in which 3,000 houses participate and which is one of the largest schemes of its kind. For the first time in many years, Galway County Council, bearing in mind planning considerations, had to deny a certificate confirming that water would be obtainable by people who wish to build their own houses. This first happened on 1 January.

When the Luimnagh plant was built — one would want to be local to understand this matter — I was a member of Galway County Council and noted the plant was one of the best projects the council ever completed. We call it the "water factory" locally and that is exactly what it is. It was built specifically to ensure the regional water schemes in north and mid-Galway would have a water supply over the years but not half this area has been connected to the source in Luimnagh. The irony is that some years ago the then county manager allowed the pipeline to extend from Luimnagh to the outskirts of Galway city, that is, to Claregalway, for the very good reason that the draw-down of water at the time was insufficient.

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