Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I raised the issue of unsewered communities with the Taoiseach last week. He pointed to the new €50 million pilot scheme, which is very welcome. That €50 million could be used in Clare alone. There are unsewered communities in Carrigaholt, Doolin and Spanish Point. Broadford and Cooraclare have applied for the scheme. Larger counties like Cork would need a multiple of that figure.

We are in breach of environmental standards across the country. Sewerage is not the responsibility of local authorities. Uisce Éireann does not want to know; if it is not sewered already its attitude is that it has enough difficulty dealing with what it has and will not do any more. Does the Minister think it will get cheaper to provide these sewers? If not, what actions will be taken on a multiannual basis to ensure that every settlement in the country is sewered. I am not referring to one-off houses, but where there are settlements or villages we need a sewer and wastewater treatment. What is the Government going to do about it?

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