Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 144: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the assurances he will give to communities in Balbriggan and Skerries that the quality of bathing water at their beaches will be improved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16373/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Where bathing waters do not comply with the standards prescribed in relation to designated bathing waters by the quality of bathing waters regulations 1992, the relevant local authorities are required to take the necessary measures to ensure compliance with these standards.

Under the Water Services Investment Programme 2004-2006, €23 million is being provided to Fingal County Council for the construction of a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant at Barnageeragh, which will deal with all domestic, commercial and industrial wastewater from both Balbriggan and Skerries and which is due for completion by autumn 2006. This treatment plant will improve water quality at the Balbriggan and Skerries beaches to the highest possible standards so that in future years these beaches should be eligible for blue flag status.