Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his response. It is unbelievable to think that an Irish Water issue, a lack of finding an ability to sort out the sewage treatment in that location, is the issue that obliges us to shelve this project. We have huge issues with all our beaches because we have no toilets there. How a local authority of the size and nature of Cork County Council cannot sort out its own wastewater treatment issues regarding this is beyond belief. When one is getting a €19 million project to do huge developments on all these beaches, one makes the proposal, gets the grant and then realises one cannot build it, it is chaotic.

I would be really disappointed - I take the Minister of State's word - that why it has failed is because Cork County Council is lacking in solving the wastewater treatment issue. There are mechanisms, means and other ways around this. If Irish Water does not take it in charge, surely an entity such as Cork County Council can take it up and run with it.

The people of Ballinspittle, the people of Courceys parish, deserve better than this. We have issues within Ballinspittle village where a wastewater treatment problem is a problem. This entire issue of lack of wastewater treatment plant seems to be dogging that part of the world

I will directly go back to the county manager about this issue. I cannot understand how we cannot find a solution. It is nonsensical that a local authority cannot solve its own issues regarding wastewater treatment. It is unbelievable.

I note the frustration of the people in the Courceys parish, Ballinspittle and in Garrylucas, Garrettstown. These people want to make sure this amenity can be enhanced, can go forward and can be developed. The entire region wants it to go forward and to develop and to have Cork County Council now become the stumbling block is outrageous.

I will directly talk to the CEO of Cork County Council about this. We cannot have money coming from national government not being drawn down because we cannot get our house in order. That is effectively what is happening here.

We are on about no amenity of this nature being put on the Wild Atlantic Way in Cork county. We have the longest coastline in Ireland and we have no amenity of this nature put on the Wild Atlantic Way. It does not make sense.

My frustration is beyond belief. I will directly talk to the CEO. I ask the Minister of State to correspond directly with the CEO as well to see whether a solution can be found here. If we cannot put our heads together and solve this, God help us.