Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There are processes set out. Either the Senator wants the project for the greater Dublin area or she does not. I am interested in investing in water and wastewater facilities so that jobs for the people of the Dublin region can be created in the future. If we do not plan for projects like this one, we will not have the facilities and infrastructure in place to attract foreign direct investment and create employment for the Senator's constituents and all of the people on the east coast. There are a number of projects in my Department that are fast-tracked for the purposes of ensuring that this will happen, including a major investment programme to upgrade the Leixlip wastewater treatment system to facilitate enormous investment projects that are being lined up by the IDA in County Kildare and west County Dublin. This is part of an overall infrastructural plan for the Dublin region. It is never going to be easy, no matter where one sites these facilities. I accept that fully. However, there will be an opportunity for the Senator and other interested parties from the area to make submissions when the formal planning process starts and it goes to An Bord Pleanála.