Ciarán Cannon (Fine Gael)

To use a phrase used by a Minister who spoke recently in the Chamber, I am somewhat bemused by the Minister of State's response. Why should further progress on the Loughrea regional water supply scheme await finalisation of the new water services investment programme when the scheme has been included in every such programme since 2004? The Minister of State's colleague, Deputy Noel Ahern, who was a Minister of State at the Department, said in this Chamber in 2004, "It is intended to commence construction in 2006 at an estimated cost of over €35 million." The programme for the period 2007 onwards indicated construction would start in 2009. However, we are now told we must await publication of the programme for the period 2010-12. One wonders why people become frustrated. The response is less than ample.