Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I thank Senator Ulick Burke for raising this matter and giving me the opportunity to reply on behalf of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

The Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005-2007, published in December 2005, includes some 60 major water and sewerage schemes, with a value of more than €451 million, for Galway. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is pleased to confirm that the Gort regional water supply scheme is one of these schemes. Funding of €15.8 million has been allocated for it in the investment programme and it is scheduled to start next year.

Galway County Council's preliminary report for the scheme was received in the Department in January 2006. The council was informed that same month that the Department's examination of the report would have to await the outcome of the environmental impact assessment the council was then carrying out. Obviously, the environmental impact assessment could have a significant impact on the design, scope and scale of the council's proposals and there would have been little point in subjecting them to detailed examination until the situation in that respect had been clarified.

From recent contacts between the council and the Department, the council may have recently determined that a full environmental impact assessment might not be required. It is to confirm the position in this regard to the Department in the near future. When this issue is resolved, the Department will be able to reconsider its position regarding the preliminary report. Approval of that report will allow the council to prepare contract documents, which will be used to invite bids for the construction of the scheme.

From what has been said, it will be clear that further progress with the scheme is entirely in the hands of Galway County Council. I can assure Senator Burke that the Department will do everything it can to facilitate an early start to the construction phase once the council comes back with firm proposals. The money for the scheme — there is no question about that — is available in the Department and the Minister is keen to see it get to construction as soon as possible.

The Department provided funding in 2004 for certain advance elements of the scheme to deal with the most pressing water supply problems affecting the town; these works are now complete.

I reiterate the importance of the council getting back to the Department as soon as possible. After that, I hope progress can be made and tenders invited.