Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)

I refer to two sewerage schemes in my constituency, the schemes being proposed by Donegal County Council in Dungloe and Glenties in west Donegal. Dungloe is famous for the Mary from Dungloe international festival, while Glenties is famous for being the birthplace of Patrick McGill and the McGill summer school organised by Mr. Joe Mulholland.

I raised this issue on the Adjournment in the fourth quarter of 2009. The schemes are being bundled because the Department and the county council are of the view that this would attract more competitive tenders. Proposed, as part of the overall project, are new wastewater treatment plants in both facilities, two pumping stations in the Dungloe scheme and one in the Glenties scheme. It is proposed that they be developed on a design-build-operate model. The design documentation and other relevant documentation were submitted by the county council to the Department almost 12 months ago in April 2009. It was acknowledged in the reply I received when I last raised the issue that the documentation was being examined with a view to an announcement being made and allowing the schemes to proceed some time this year. I am not sure if this date has been moved forward. I understand the schemes, in conjunction with others, are being looked at as part of the 2012 wastewater investment programme.

It is essential that the schemes proceed. Glenties is nestled along the Owenea, one of the most famous salmon spawning rivers in Europe, yet raw sewage is entering it. The county council, the fisheries board and local residents have acknowledged that this is unacceptable and that the schemes need to proceed. I understand one of them may be delaying the other. If that is the case, I question the bundling of the schemes. Is there scope to allow one of them to proceed now and the second to proceed when the additional documentation has been acquired? I raise the matter to seek clarification.

The county council is also seeking clarification from the Department. While there is a close working relationship between the two, it has reached the stage where the county council is anxiously awaiting approval to proceed to the next phase. It will be happy to proceed to tender once approval has been given by the Department. I look forward to the Minister of State's response.