Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

With respect, it has to be done properly and well. Although it may take up to seven years it does not mean each process is not fully thought out and planned. All of the issues that might arise must be dealt with. The project requirements for implementation by 2020 include the planning phase and the preparation of the environmental impact assessment; the preparation and submission of the planning application to an Bord Pleanála; the processing of the planning application by An Bord Pleanála; compliance with EU procurement directives; the assessment of procurement options; the drawing up of contract documents; the procurement and assessment of tenders; the appointment of service providers, contracts and operators, since the construction phase will involve multiple contracts operating in parallel in green-field site conditions; and commissioning.

Dublin City Council is running the project. It is not that the Department has been doing it up to now. The council is procuring a consultant to progress the planning phase. It is envisaged that Irish Water will be responsible for the delivery of capital projects from 1 January next year. Responsibility for the delivery of the project will therefore transfer to Irish Water in 2014. Bord na Móna has a key critical role in the successful delivery of the project. The recommended location is a Bord na Móna cutaway bog at Garryhinch. The proposed route of the raw untreated water pipelines traverses the heartland of Bord na Móna's activities and the communities in which it operates.

We cannot afford to rush this but some things can be done in parallel. In other words, when Irish Water takes ownership of the project it may be able to find synergies in terms of times within the seven-year period. The fact is that this must be done right and properly. Clearly, significant planning issue are involved. I am confident that it will progress. There has been no delay on the part of the Minister or the Department in this matter.

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