Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I sincerely thank the Minister of State, Deputy Burke, for what I consider a positive update. A slice of that funding for Irish Water needs to be pulled back into the Department. A fund should be created in the Department, with each local authority being given the option of applying for one scheme per year under a new programme which would deal with these legacy wastewater and sewage systems.

To be quite frank, I consider Doolin in County Clare to be a national tourist destination. It is visited by hundreds of thousands of people every year. Those visitors and, more importantly, the people living and working in the village of Doolin deserve an upgraded sewerage system.

Cooraclare is a village just off the Wild Atlantic Way. Thousands of people travel through it and people live there. Again, they have waited long enough for a sewerage system and an upgraded wastewater facility. They deserve it.

Similarly, Carrigaholt is part of our tourism offering in County Clare. It is a super facility and area and part of our Gaeltacht. Again, those people deserve an upgraded wastewater and sewerage system.

Broadford village has people who are prepared to invest in and develop it as a thriving rural area. At the moment, it has stagnated. It is static because, again, people are waiting for an improved sewerage and wastewater system.

I believe the Minister of State and the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, should give serious consideration to the fund we spoke about at the meeting with the Minister last night.