John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

I am aware that there have been recurrent problems with green algae on a number of beaches in County Cork. Various factors can contribute to the formation of green algae, which is due to excessive nutrients entering water, including from run-off from land due to intensive agricultural practices, septic tanks or discharges of untreated wastewater.

The draft south-western river basin management plan identifies the full range of water quality issues in the area covered by the plan, including Cork county and city, and sets out how it is proposed to manage the rivers, lakes, groundwaters and coastal waters covered by the plan to ensure their protection. The plan, being finalised by the relevant local authorities, will contain a programme of measures to address these challenges, including the identification of any necessary waste water infrastructure.

In addition, my colleague the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has established a task force representative of a number of stakeholders, including my Department, to advise him and Cork County Council on various aspects of the green algae at Coolmaine, Harbour View, Inchydoney and Ring beaches.

Proposals to upgrade and improve the wastewater infrastructure at Clonakilty, Courtmacsherry, Rosscarbery and Timoleague are currently at various stages of planning under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007–09. Local authorities have been asked to submit an assessment of needs for water and sewerage services to my Department by the end of next week as a key input to the development of the 2010 to 2012 water services investment programme. In conducting their assessments, local authorities have been asked to prioritise schemes and contracts for progression over the coming years based on key environmental and economic criteria.

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