Michael Brennan (Progressive Democrats)

I have come into this House in the past to express gratitude to the Government and the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for the amount of money invested in the Water Services Investment Programme 2004-06.

Kilmallock, County Limerick, is a typical town. It is the major town in south Limerick, has a development plan in place and its existing services are at capacity. The development association, working on behalf of the community, has expressed concern regarding future services in the town.

A public meeting was held in the town recently and concern was expressed about the promised sewerage scheme . If one wishes to ascertain the stage of development of a sewerage scheme in the county, one must make two telephone calls, one to the county council and the other to the Department. Limerick County Council informed me that the issue has been with the Department since 24 January.

I ask the Minister to tell the House when Limerick County Council will be in a position to prepare tender documents for the scheme; to give a broad outline of the procedure from this point on; and tell us when we can expect to see the scheme come to fruition. Will the scheme be completed in 2005?