Seanad debates

Wednesday, 25 October 2006

Water and Sewerage Schemes

 

7:00 pm

Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)

Prior to the last general election in 2002 the residents of Athea, County Limerick, were promised that a sewerage scheme would commence in the near future. As we face another general election, they are correctly asking when the scheme will commence. The scheme is urgently needed, as housing development in the area is being impeded. The lack of housing also has an impact on the local primary school. In addition, the existing deficient sewage scheme is also polluting rivers. The proposed scheme has been bundled with schemes for Shanagolden, Askeaton, Foynes and Glin. The bundled project is estimated to cost €16 million and the intention of the bundling process was to reduce to cost of the overall project. However, it is a bureaucratic nightmare that ten different phases must be completed from inception to construction before a major capital project can proceed. While the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government announced this red tape would not apply for projects costing less than €5 million, because of the bundling of schemes, it is rare that a sewerage project costs less than this in County Limerick.

When I raised the issue on 14 June last, the Minister of State said he had received fee proposal and cost estimates from Limerick County Council. When can the council commence construction on this project? With regard to the provision of water and sewerage schemes generally, the Government has neglected west Limerick. Adare, Askeaton, Patrickswell, Glin, Shanagolden, Foynes, Athea, Dromcollogher, Bruff and Kildimo are all in urgent need for upgraded sewerage schemes, yet none has been provided. I look forward to the Minister of State's response.

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