Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail)

I join with Senator Paddy Burke in calling for urgent action by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to deal with the crisis in sewerage systems throughout the country. In many cases the crisis relates to financing and the finance to be provided by the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. In many villages and towns this presents a real problem as it prevents growth. It also puts pressure on one-off rural housing, a matter often debated in this House, and is a significant problem in the planning sector. If the towns were provided with water and sewerage schemes there would not be the same demand for one-off housing.

A ridiculous situation is developing in many villages in Clare where local people cannot find a house in the village or town because there is no water or sewerage scheme to facilitate them, yet they are denied permission for one-off housing in rural areas. We need action on this matter before the end of the summer.