Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail)

I ask the Leader to arrange a debate as soon as possible with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to discuss water and sewerage schemes with specific emphasis on the serviced land initiative. As many Senators are aware progress in advancing certain schemes has been very slow, which is causing severe disadvantage to some villages and towns resulting in their being unable to grow and develop along the lines set out in county development plans. It is also causing a problem in planning. A demand exists in rural areas for housing. On the one hand people are finding it very difficult to get planning for one-off rural houses while at the same time no housing is available in the villages and towns because many of the schemes have not advanced as quickly as they should have. I would like to Minister to outline to us his plans and those of his Department on the matter.