John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

I know the area as I used to holiday in Timoleague and I know this problem has existed for years. When I was on holidays there more than ten years ago I could see the algae on the beach. If one went down to Dunworley one could see the green algae there and it was very clear. This is coming from run-off nutrients from farming practices and septic tanks. We must deal first with the point sources. While the Department allocates the moneys for the water services investment programme, the local authority is responsible for the schemes. It is unfair for Deputy Jim O'Keeffe to claim I am responsible for all these local authorities and must make them do their work. I cannot do that. I can, however, give the Deputy some idea of where the various projects stand.

The three schemes in question amount to an investment of €122 million. Cork County Council is preparing the contract documents for the Clonakilty water and sewerage scheme with a view to seeking tenders next year. My Department is assessing the additional information on the Courtmacsherry and Timoleague water and sewerage scheme which was just received from Cork County Council to determine whether to approve the council's revised preliminary reports for it. The report sets out the scale, scope and costs of the scheme. In April I met with a delegation from the area about the scheme. The meeting's focus was on the affordability of the scheme as a substantial element of it falls to be funded by the council under the water pricing policy.

I am more than happy to give the Deputy more information on the Rosscarbery and Owenahincha scheme.

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