Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for providing me with the opportunity to raise this important issue. It is closely related to the first Adjournment matter raised this evening by my constituency colleagues, Deputies Coveney and Clune in respect of the serious flooding incidents in parts of our constituency last Wednesday evening. I believe the lack of the Cork lower harbour sewerage scheme was a contributory factor in the flooding incidents that occurred last week in areas including Glenbrook, Passage West, Monkstown, Rochestown, Carrigaline and the Minane Bridge area. I witnessed at first hand the devastation that occurred to a number of homes, particularly in Glenbrook, which was highlighted on the RTE News last week. An extremely serious incident occurred that could have had far more serious consequences involving serious injury or even the loss of human life but which thankfully did not occur. Even in Carrigaline, my constituency office was flooded although the consequences were quite minor, in that a new carpet must be put down. However, the devastation of people's homes is an altogether more serious matter and I hope Members can give every possible assistance to those who are affected and towards ensuring this does not happen again. In this regard, the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, has responded quite swiftly and I spoke to him a number of times last week following the incident. Cork County Council has now been encouraged to submit an application for funding as soon as possible which will be given favourable consideration by the Office of Public Works, which already has been on-site at the worst affected areas.

This brings me to the purpose of the Adjournment matter I have tabled. In 2004, Cork City Council completed the main drainage scheme for Cork city and suburbs including the Douglas area. This brought enormous environmental benefits to the Cork city region. In respect of the River Lee for example, people now swim there again, fish stocks have re-emerged and the amenity use of the river has greatly improved because of the completion of the main drainage scheme there in 2004. The purpose of this motion is to seek to accelerate a comparable scheme for the county area of my constituency. This scheme is called the Cork lower harbour main drainage scheme and at present is going through the lengthy process involved in getting an infrastructural project of this scale up and running. However, it is of critical importance for the area I represent to have this scheme implemented as soon as possible. For example, approximately 1 billion gallons of untreated foul sewage is simply discharged into the lower harbour every year with enormous environmental consequences. This highlights the urgent need for this issue to be addressed. The scheme would cover the areas of Carrigaline, Crosshaven, Passage West, Monkstown, Shanbally, Ringaskiddy and the wider lower harbour area. Its implementation would bring significant environmental benefits, as well as leisure benefits for the use of the lower harbour area. It is essential to proceed with this project as soon as possible.

In addition, not only is the lack of the main drainage scheme in the harbour area a possible contributory factor in the case of flooding, it also has been put forward as a reason for not proceeding with major road improvement works that are required. For example, in the town of Carrigaline where I live, the main street is a shambles. It is in appalling condition but for many years, the council has cited the forthcoming or planned main drainage scheme as a reason for not carrying out major works on the roads. Given that this scheme has been in the pipeline for several years and may not happen for some time yet, it is unfair to use it as a reason for not investing in improved road infrastructure in that area. In addition, in Carrigaline and elsewhere in the lower harbour area, there is a highly inadequate drainage system as a result because a combined surface water and foul sewer system is in place rather than the separate systems that are required.

I acknowledge this is a major scheme which is going through the process. An Bord Pleanála has approved the environmental impact statement for the waste water treatment plant in Ringaskiddy. It was approved last summer and the preliminary report has been submitted by the council to the Department. Some comments have come back and I understand the council intends to submit a revised report to the Department before Christmas. I understand that in excess of €70 million will be required from the Department's water services investment programme and this evening I seek confirmation that this funding is available to proceed with the scheme in the shortest possible timeframe, that the council will be encouraged to prioritise this project and that the Department will treat it with the seriousness it deserves once the revised report comes before it, in order that this drainage scheme can be implemented.

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