Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this matter. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy O'Dowd, to the Chamber and wish him well. I hope he will have a long and fruitful ministerial career.

There has been a delay of several years in the issuing of a foreshore licence for the Killala sewerage scheme. This scheme is much needed and the delay arises even though there is already an outfall pipe that was used by private industry and which it is proposed will be used for the outflow from the sewerage scheme. In the meantime raw sewage is going into Killala Bay which is designated a special area of conservation as well as a natural heritage area for wild birds. As well as being a tourist attraction because of its scenic quality, the bay also attracts tourists as a place for deep sea fishing and is at the head of the River Moy, the most prolific salmon fishing river in Europe. The water quality in the Moy Estuary, which is part of Killala Bay, has been classified as moderate in the water basin management plan prepared under the water framework directive. This body of water is to be targeted for improvement under the management plan.

Why has there been a delay of many years in issuing the foreshore licence in this case? As I understand it, there are three other foreshore licences which remain to be issued in Mayo after significant delay, relating to works on slipways and another sewerage scheme. Delays in the issue of foreshore licences in general are of concern to us in Mayo where we are trying to tap into the huge wave energy off our coast as part of the county's renewable energy strategy which will also require a foreshore licence or licences in due course. The last foreshore licence issued in the county was to Shell in respect of the Corrib gasfield and it took only four months in that case. Clearly, where there is a will there is a way.

We have a new Government and a new Minister and I am hopeful there will be positive changes. In particular, I am hopeful that the bureaucracy surrounding the issue of foreshore licences can be tackled so that the delay in their issuing is no longer a stumbling block in the delivery of important infrastructure to regions, in particular the Killala sewerage scheme.

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