Joe Cooney (Clare, Fine Gael)

I understand from speaking to colleagues from other counties involved in this scheme that some are much further along in the process than others. I know that Clare County Council can progress if the Department confirms funding for the two projects in Broadford and Cooraclare. These two settlements have demonstrated significant commitment to the proposal of public treatment systems. I asked Clare County Council whether it had confirmed in writing to the Department that the matched funding requirement is available and it has done so. It would appear that some local authorities, and the towns and villages they propose, are being held up because other counties may not have been able to proceed for whatever reason. It is not acceptable in the middle of housing crisis that a scheme with public moneys allocated for more than three years for vital public infrastructure is being managed in this way.

See this speech in context