Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise the issue. As the Minister of State knows, the proposal to have Milltown sewerage scheme included for sanction by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government was originally included in a bundle of four schemes for Milltown, Claregalway, Craughwell and Carraroe. It was probably one of the saddest days ever when four schemes like this were put together because it was obviously too big a bundle and there was no possibility of the four schemes proceeding together.

I was very glad to hear that Milltown and Claregalway would proceed as two schemes, as they are most important. Claregalway is in west Galway and Deputies from there have been making the case for that village. However, I know more about Milltown because it is in north Galway in my constituency. It is located on the N17 north of Tuam and it is one of the tidiest villages in the county. It is appalling that it has taken 20 years to even get the scheme on a list for submission to the Department. If sanction cannot be obtained for a sewerage scheme in the village, it will be difficult to cater for further development there. A temporary sewerage scheme is in place on one estate in the village. Milltown is on the River Clare, which flows into the River Corrib and, therefore, pollution is a serious threat.

It is heartening, however, that sites are available for the sewerage schemes in both Claregalway and Milltown. The local GAA club has made a site available in Milltown and the Planning and Development Acts has been availed of for both schemes. There is no reason, therefore, that they should not proceed together. Many building contractors would be glad of the opportunity to proceed with the schemes while maintaining the economies of scale required. However, the lesson is there is no need to bundle schemes in large packages. It might be better to proceed with one scheme, as happened in most cases in the pasts. It is not good to bundle schemes but Galway County Council has submitted the schemes for Milltown and Claregalway as a bundle and they are on the Department's list. I hope the Minister for State will have news that they will proceed together.

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