Ray Butler (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In my local town, Trim, planning permission has been given for 365 new houses, which is very welcome. However, last year €1.3 million was allocated for the sewerage plant in Trim. The plant is 35 years old and is creaking. Raw sewage is leaking out of it. The water quality is not great. This €1.3 million has disappeared since Irish Water went off the playing pitch. As we move on and the economy improves, new developments and houses will be planned, and we need proper infrastructure. In my area we have the likes of Ballivor, where a hose pipe is bringing water from the reservoir to the houses. In Kildalkey and Longwood there is no water pressure whatsoever. We are in the suburbs of Dublin and this is the start of the building, which is welcome, but we need infrastructure. We are not getting forward planning. It is backwards we are going. I would like the Minister to come here and tell us the plan for water and sewerage schemes.