Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)

I am taking this topical issue debate on behalf of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan. I thank Deputy Broughan for the opportunity to outline the position on this matter.

In March 2011, Fingal County Council appointed consultants to prepare a preliminary report and environmental impact assessment for the greater Dublin regional drainage project-north Dublin treatment plant and orbital sewer. The identification of potential locations for the regional waste water treatment plant is an important step in this process. In October 2011, as part of phase 1, alternative sites assessment and route selection report, Fingal County Council identified nine potential land parcels in the northern part of the greater Dublin area within which a proposed regional waste water treatment plant could potentially be located, along with a marine outfall and an orbital drainage system.

The council carried out an eight week non-statutory public consultation seeking views on the proposals and the land parcels. These nine land parcels were then assessed as potential locations in which to site the regional waste water treatment plant. The routes for the orbital drainage system and the marine outfall pipe locations were also assessed. Site specific information, more indepth desktop research, consultations and detailed site surveys, as well as feedback from the public were used to assist in identifying the locations with the least impact under 15 criteria. Of these nine land parcels, three sites have now been identified by the council as emerging preferred site options in the phase 2 alternative sites assessment and route selection report. A further eight week non-statutory public consultation period commenced on Monday, 14 May 2012, and runs until 6 July 2012. As part of this process, four open days are being arranged by the council where the public can meet with the project team to discuss the report. I note Deputy Broughan has made submissions in this regard.

When the preferred site is identified the council will prepare detailed plans and complete an environmental impact statement. This EIS, together with a planning application under the Planning and Development Strategic Infrastructure Act 2006, will be submitted to An Bord Pleanála, which will carry out its own statutory public consultation on the project. The Minister's main role in water services projects is to provide capital funding for the work through the Department's water services investment programme. He may in the future have a statutory role should there be a requirement for a foreshore licence for the project. Beyond the inclusion of the project in the investment programme for planning and funding of the planning stage, the Minister has not commented on these proposals as they developed as this might prejudice his statutory role and-or the role of An Bord Pleanála. It is a matter for Fingal County Council to advance the planning of the project.

I have noted the points made by Deputy Broughan.

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