Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)

Tá brón orm as bheith mall. Bhí mé gnóthach agus ní raibh a fhios agam go raibh an Bille chun a críochnú chomh luath.

I welcome the Minister and the opportunity to raise the issue of sewerage schemes for two towns, Dungloe and Glenties, within the Glenties electoral area in west Donegal. Glenties is a beautiful town and the home of Patrick MacGill. The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government proposes to bundle the two schemes. A set of documents for the design, build and operate contract was submitted to the Department in April 2009 by Donegal County Council seeking approval to proceed to the next stage. The documents included provision for the construction of a new waste water treatment plant in both towns, with two pumping stations in Dungloe and one in Glenties, as well as other associated works. An application is also being made for a second contract, which includes the replacement and rehabilitation of parts of the network in both towns. That will be made to the Department in early 2010 by the county council.

At this stage what is being sought by the council to proceed with the next stage, relating to the construction of the treatment plant and associated works, is the approval to seek tenders. The water and environment section of Donegal County Council informs me that if approval was forthcoming, it could proceed immediately. Obviously, an associated and additional application will be made early in the new year by the council in respect of the network pipe work that would link up to the treatment works.

The two towns have experienced development in recent years, particularly Dungloe. Glenties is in urgent need of the upgrading of the sewerage plant given the proximity of the Owenea River, which is traditionally associated with salmon fishing, and the detrimental effects the current lack of adequate sewerage facilities are having on the river. In highlighting this matter, I hope Donegal County Council will receive a positive response from the Department shortly.