Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil suim faoi leith ag an Aire Stáit san ábhar seo. Is é an t-ábhar atá faoi chaibidil agam ná an ionad cóireála séarachais, wastewater treatment plant, atá beartaithe do Chéibh an tSrutháin ar An gCeathrú Rua i gConamara. Tá sé beartaithe le fada an lá agus níl a fhios agam cé chomh fada agus atá muintir an cheantair ag streachailt agus i mbun feachtais chun ionad cóireála séarachais a fháil. Toghadh mise don chéad uair in 1999, níos mó ná 22 bliain ó shin, don chathair ach bhí mé ar an eolas faoin bhfeachtas a bhí faoi lán seoil i gConamara mar tá séarachas ag dul isteach san fharraige agus muidne i mbun cainte anseo.

I mo thuairim agus i dtuairim formhór na ndaoine sa cheantar, ní raibh an suíomh a bhí pioctha agus atá ann le haghaidh an ionaid seo feiliúnach riamh. Is é sin an suíomh a bhí aitheanta ag an gcomhairle contae, áfach, agus ansin ag Uisce Éireann. Ní raibh mise sásta riamh ach, ar a laghad, bhí an rud ag dul ar aghaidh. Níos tábhachtaí fós, ní raibh muintir na háite sásta ach bhí sé chun dul ar aghaidh ar aon nós.

Tá an suíomh i seilbh duine phríobháidigh. Tá cead pleanála faighte ag an duine sin le hionad eile a thógáil ar an suíomh. Tá an ceart aige, agus é agus a chlann i mbun feachtais le fada an lá freisin. Is é an deacracht atá ann anois, áfach, ná go bhfuil an chosúlacht ar an scéal nach mbeidh aon ionad cóireála séarachais ar an suíomh sin.

Cad atá le déanamh againn? Níos tábhachtaí, cad atá le déanamh ag Uisce Éireann agus an Rialtas? Ní féidir leanúint ar aghaidh. I mo thuairim agus i dtuairim mhuintir na háite, tá áit i bhfad níos feiliúnaí i Ros an Mhíl ach dúradh linn ag dul siar nárbh fhéidir é sin a úsáid. Tá sé práinneach anois breathnú ar an suíomh sin. Tá an suíomh i seilbh Údarás na Gaeltachta. Tá sé i bhfad níos feiliúnaí. Ní saineolaí mé ach bheadh sé i bhfad níos feiliúnaí, do cheantar níos mó, ná an ceann a bhí beartaithe.

Ag an bpointe seo, níl an dara rogha agam ach é a ardú anocht agus brú a chur ar an Roinn rud a dhéanamh ó thaobh an séarachas atá ag dul isteach san fharraige. I am not going to repeat that in English as I know the Minister of State understood everything I said.

We knew this was the wrong site. I will put it like that. I am not here to say we were right - quite the opposite - but we knew there were difficulties with this site. That is the site that was chosen, however, despite the people of the area highlighting that it was not suitable. I do not want to exaggerate but I have been aware of this matter since I was elected in 1999, even though it was not in my area at the time.

Irish Water put all its eggs in one basket to build a wastewater treatment plant on this site and its owner has just secured planning permission from An Bord Pleanála to build something completely different on it. Fair play to the owner, who has struggled to get that planning but obviously the wastewater treatment plant cannot proceed at the site now. I am seeking urgent clarification first and then I want to hear what steps the Government is going to take to ensure the site that should have been picked in the first place will be picked. I also want urgent steps to be taken to construct a treatment plant there.

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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Gabhaim mo bhuíochas leis an Teachta as an gceist seo a ardú inniu agus as an seans a thabhairt dom dualgas Uisce Éireann a leagan amach. Tá an freagra as Béarla, agus tá brón orm faoi sin.

The Water Services Acts 2007 to 2017 set out arrangements in place for the delivery of water and wastewater services by Irish Water and for the scrutiny and oversight provisions that apply in respect of these arrangements. The Deputy will understand the provision of facilities in County Galway is a matter for Irish Water in the first instance. Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water has had statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels.

Irish Water takes a strategic nationwide approach to asset planning and investment, and meeting customer requirements. The prioritisation and progression of individual projects and programmes is a matter for determination by Irish Water.

My Department has made inquiries on the issue mentioned by Deputy Connolly. I am informed that Irish Water has just today been made aware of the decision by An Bord Pleanála to grant planning permission for an alternative project on the preferred site for the proposed wastewater treatment plant in An Cheathrú Rua. Irish Water is currently reviewing this decision and any implications for the proposed sewerage scheme in An Cheathrú Rua.

The Government is aware that significant and sustained investment is needed to ensure the continued operation, upgrade and repair of the country's water and wastewater infrastructure and to support economic growth in the years to come. In this regard, as part of budget 2022, my Department secured funding of over €1.57 billion to support water services. This includes €1.459 billion in respect of domestic water services provision by Irish Water. This overall investment will deliver significant improvements in our public water and wastewater services, support improved water supplies right across Ireland, including rural Ireland, and support a range of programmes delivering improved water quality in our rivers, lakes and marine area.

I agree with Deputy Connolly that this is a critically important project for the area, particularly as the region's population grows. What the Deputy has referenced here is a long-running saga that needs to be addressed by Irish Water. I will take her concerns back through our Department's water section to Irish Water. I hope I have provided some clarity for the Deputy in the response I have given.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. Chuir mé an cheist i nGaeilge freisin. Níl mé ag cur locht ar an Aire Stáit ach b'fhéidir go mbeidh an freagra ón Roinn i mBéarla agus i nGaeilge uair éigin. Maidir leis an gceist, is é an t-aon rud atá suimiúil domsa anseo ná go bhfuil Uisce Éireann i mbun athbhreithnithe ar an gcinneadh atá déanta ag An mBord Pleanála. Of interest to me, other than the background with Irish Water, of which I am fully aware, and the history, which I do not need, is that Irish Water is "currently reviewing this decision" by An Bord Pleanála to grant permission for something else. Irish Water was fully aware of this and was considering a compulsory purchase order for this site for a very long time. It was conveyed to Irish Water over and over again that there would be no co-operation because the owner had other plans for that site. I pass no comment on those plans but this has not come as a surprise to Irish Water. It knew it was under appeal to An Bord Pleanála and it knew well that it was not a suitable site.

There is a serious question here for the Government. I know it is Irish Water's responsibility. I never agreed with Irish Water happening in the first place, but that is what happened. We cannot stand over a situation where raw sewage is pouring into the bay in the middle of Conamara, i gcroílár na Gaeltachta, when there is a suitable site. We knew there was a site all along. I cannot tell the Minister of State how many meetings I and other Deputies and councillors from the area attended over the last while. We tried to say that while we were not experts, there was another site worth looking at that was in the ownership of a State agency. Irish Water told us it was too costly but nobody has added up the cost of not dealing with the raw sewage going into the water. When we look at costs in a very restricted way, it is stupid in the extreme and here we are. There is a site available. As I said, I am no expert but anyone down there will tell you that the site owned by Údarás na Gaeltachta in Ros an Mhíl is far more suitable and was always thus.

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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Gabhaim buíochas arís leis an Teachta as an gceist seo faoi áiseanna fuíolluisce ar An gCeathrú Rua a ardú. Geallaim go bhfuil an Rialtas tiomanta do mhaoiniú suntasach a chur ar fáil d'Uisce Éireann. Again, I have a stock response here but this an issue that I will take back through the Department to Irish Water. I am not fully familiar with all of the details of the project but if there is a suitable site, it should be considered. I agree with the Deputy that it is absolutely unacceptable for raw sewage to be discharging into watercourses. It is happening too much in our country. As I outlined in my earlier response, that is why it is critically important that we have put in place record investment for Irish Water to meet these requirements. However, it is important that it is done in the right way. It is important that it is done in the correct way and at the right location. I will take back the Deputy's concerns and will revert to her with a response.