John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister and I do not have a role in the prioritisation of individual water services projects, but I accept the Deputy's point about the mid-west Cork bundle. Irish Water expects that there will shortly be an announcement on the proposed CPO for the scheme, and the information I have been given is that the contracts will be signed in the first half of 2019. I will endeavour to find the answer to the question on the bundling issue and whether it could have knock-on effects. I understand from what the Deputy has said and from the comments that have been made by Irish Water that the Coachford scheme is at an advanced stage. There seems to be no reason that work could not commence if there were delays in the other areas. I will endeavour to get that particular answer from Irish Water. The company expects that the announcement on CPOs will happen shortly and that this contract will be signed in the first half of 2019.

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