Batt O'Keeffe (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Senator for raising this issue. My Department has provided significant funding for various improvements and extensions to the Shannon Estuary water supply scheme. The Water Services Investment Programme 2005-07 includes some €5.5 million for an upgrade of the treatment works and an extension of the supply system to Pallaskenry and Kildimo. The Department also provided moneys in recent years to extend the scheme to Askeaton.

Protests by some people who want to retain their present supply from the Bleach Lough source, rather than be connected to the Shannon Estuary scheme, are delaying completion of the extension to Pallaskenry and Kildimo. The issue has been before the courts, and Limerick County Council, which is the sanitary authority and also the contracting authority for the works involved, is trying to resolve it as quickly as possible. I, too, am anxious to see an early solution, not just for Pallaskenry and Kildimo but also for the group waiting for a connection to the Shannon Estuary scheme so that its members will no longer have to put up with a sub-standard service. Group schemes in Ballyshonick and Kilcornan, currently supplied from seriously deficient sources, are waiting anxiously for the Shannon Estuary scheme extension so they can connect up to it and have clean drinking water. I understand the distribution networks of both group schemes in these areas are currently being upgraded by Limerick County Council in anticipation of the connection to the Shannon Estuary scheme.

My Department provides a significant amount of funding nationally to improve water and sewerage facilities for the benefit of communities. Ultimately, it is the local authorities which are responsible for putting the physical infrastructure in place and for dealing with related issues on the ground. This is local government in action and we should respect the democratic mandate it carries.

The best way to summarise the position in this case is to quote from a press release issued by Limerick County Council in recent days after its latest effort to advance the works was halted by protesters. The press release stated:

Limerick County Council has made every effort possible to reach a compromise with protestors in the Kildimo-Pallaskenry area and has engaged in over 50 hours of discussions with their representatives since talks commenced last June. However, objectors refused to accept any of the compromises on offer and it was agreed, in the company of two independent facilitators, at our last meeting on November 23 that negotiations could go no further. In accordance with that, Limerick County Council has decided to proceed with completing the interconnections. The council is fully committed to completing the interconnection at the earliest possible date.

This is a local issue and it will have to be resolved at local level. I hope good sense will prevail and that the current impasse can be resolved in the near future in the best interests of the health and safety of local people.