Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I know the Minister of State read that statement out on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Irish Water. The people of Rosscarbery and Owenahincha, which has another beautiful beach close to Warren Beach, cannot wait until 2025 or 2029. That is much too far out. Warren Beach is a gem, not just for Rosscarbery but the whole Clonakilty-Rosscarbery-Skibbereen area and attracts so many people to the region. They cannot wait until after 2025 and maybe 2029 for the scheme to be included in a capital programme. As a Deputy who represents west Cork, including Rosscarbery, Warren Beach and Owenahincha, I am pleading for the upgrade of the Rosscarbery-Owenahincha wastewater treatment plant to be included in this capital investment programme.

The Minister does not have a say in the day-to-day running of Irish Water but he does control the purse strings. I ask the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to sit down and discuss how we can get the Rosscarbery-Owenahincha wastewater treatment plant included in this capital investment programme. Rosscarbery needs it. Warren Beach - this piece of heaven I described - needs it. The residents who live there need it. People who visit this area time and again and year after year need reassurance that this issue will be dealt with and that they will not have deal with excrement in the water because it is a stunning place. The Minister of State should visit some time.

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