John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

Those are the facts. Look at the record. In 2007, there were 77 major schemes. We are increasing the number and in January 2008 the figure was up to 124 schemes. There is a plan to have 175 major schemes in progress by the end of this year, compared with just 59 in January 2006. That represents considerable progress. One of my responsibilities as Minister is officially to open sewage treatment plants in various places, so I have seen the tremendous progress. Deputy Bannon was present recently when I opened one such plant and he looked pleased on the day. I see he still has a smile on his face. That is the type of progress we wish to maintain. For that reason my Department is committed to ramping up the programme.

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