Seanad debates

Tuesday, 2 March 2010

6:00 pm

Photo of Brian Ó DomhnaillBrian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)
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I refer to two sewerage schemes in my constituency, the schemes being proposed by Donegal County Council in Dungloe and Glenties in west Donegal. Dungloe is famous for the Mary from Dungloe international festival, while Glenties is famous for being the birthplace of Patrick McGill and the McGill summer school organised by Mr. Joe Mulholland.

I raised this issue on the Adjournment in the fourth quarter of 2009. The schemes are being bundled because the Department and the county council are of the view that this would attract more competitive tenders. Proposed, as part of the overall project, are new wastewater treatment plants in both facilities, two pumping stations in the Dungloe scheme and one in the Glenties scheme. It is proposed that they be developed on a design-build-operate model. The design documentation and other relevant documentation were submitted by the county council to the Department almost 12 months ago in April 2009. It was acknowledged in the reply I received when I last raised the issue that the documentation was being examined with a view to an announcement being made and allowing the schemes to proceed some time this year. I am not sure if this date has been moved forward. I understand the schemes, in conjunction with others, are being looked at as part of the 2012 wastewater investment programme.

It is essential that the schemes proceed. Glenties is nestled along the Owenea, one of the most famous salmon spawning rivers in Europe, yet raw sewage is entering it. The county council, the fisheries board and local residents have acknowledged that this is unacceptable and that the schemes need to proceed. I understand one of them may be delaying the other. If that is the case, I question the bundling of the schemes. Is there scope to allow one of them to proceed now and the second to proceed when the additional documentation has been acquired? I raise the matter to seek clarification.

The county council is also seeking clarification from the Department. While there is a close working relationship between the two, it has reached the stage where the county council is anxiously awaiting approval to proceed to the next phase. It will be happy to proceed to tender once approval has been given by the Department. I look forward to the Minister of State's response.

Photo of John MoloneyJohn Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Senator Ó Domnhaill for raising this issue. On behalf of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy John Gormley, I thank him for providing me with an opportunity to clarify the position on the proposals for the procurement of wastewater facilities for the towns of Dungloe and Glenties.

The Dungloe and Glenties sewerage schemes were to advance as a joint scheme and were included in the Department's water services investment programme 2007-09. Donegal County Council submitted tender documents for the design-build-operate contract for the scheme to the Department in the first half of 2009. During the course of the Department's assessment of the documents, the county council suggested to the Department that the Burtonport sewerage scheme be progressed as part of the Dungloe-Glenties joint scheme. Additional information was requested from the county council on the Burtonport proposal to enable a decision on the grouping of the schemes to be made. While there have been ongoing discussions about the matter between the Department and the county council, the additional information sought has not yet been received. The Department understands, however, that the county council will shortly be making a submission on the matter.

In common with all local authorities, Donegal County Council was asked to submit an assessment of needs for water and sewerage services in its area to the Department by 23 October 2009. The Department is finalising the consideration of these assessments. This will form a key input to the development of the 2010-12 water services investment programme. In conducting their assessments local authorities were asked to prioritise schemes and contracts for progression in the coming years based on key environmental and economic criteria. As a result of the changed economic climate and the completion of the first cycle of river basin management plans by local authorities in the near future, there is a greater need to focus strategic environmental and economic objectives. The 2010-12 programme will do this by prioritising projects which target public health and environmental compliance issues, support economic and employment growth and offer best value for money. The Minister expects to publish the 2010-12 water services investment programme soon. His Department will work closely with Donegal County Council to advance priority schemes identified in the programme.