Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

To return to the topic we ought to have been discussing, the group water schemes, there is provision at this stage to address the principal outstanding schemes, some of which are in County Galway and some in County Mayo and a few others around the country. The design, build and operate process which has been applied to them is one that has shown a commendable level of success, although it is also fair to say there have been teething problems in some of the areas with the design, build and operate system for group water schemes. Senator Reilly will be familiar with some difficulties which have arisen in his own area.

The new system is being operated in the context of the huge voluntary input by the local people since the 1960s and 1970s when they were the pioneers of the provision of this kind of infrastructure that enabled development both of agriculture and of housing in their local areas. These voluntary schemes are now at the stage where they need a level of support. The Department, in partnership with the rural organisations such as the federation, has been proactive in addressing these problems. We realise there are areas where the very new model, whatever about design and build, is largely out of the hands of the people in the local community but we endeavour to address problems as speedily and as successfully as possible. I realise some of those difficulties exist and I am grateful to Senators for drawing our attention to them. I invite Senators to draw the attention of the Department to any difficulties and we will ensure the process of co-operation is brought to bear directly on those issues as this is the way to address them successfully.

I acknowledge the issue of the cap is creating some difficulty. It is intended to review this system over a period when the local authorities have successfully invested all the moneys from development funds and a large proportion of their wastewater treatment issues have been dealt with. It will then be possible to find a system to deal with the smaller population areas.

We are very confident that the pilot group water schemes project currently in operation in north Tipperary will throw up pointers and will inform the manner in which the new group sewerage scheme grants system will be operated. One of the difficulties associated with group sewerage schemes is that they are not as straightforward as the water schemes and difficult and technical issues arise about treatment, although there is no great difficulty about collection. These issues can subsequently pose problems for voluntary committees who have done extraordinarily well in the group water schemes sector but might be challenged in the group sewerage schemes sector.

I refer to a pilot area of concern, the source protection scheme in Senator Reilly's county of Cavan. I pay tribute to all those involved in this scheme for the level of co-operation from the farming community and from all participants. This is very encouraging for the future.

I hope I am not straying in terms of length or width.