Shane McEntee (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 172: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the assurances he will give to communities in Laytown and Bettystown in County Meath that the quality of bathing water will be improved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16459/05]

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, local authorities are required to take the necessary measures to ensure compliance with these standards.

Under the east Meath coastal sewerage scheme, which was funded under my Department's water services investment programme, municipal wastewater from Laytown, Bettystown and Mornington is transferred for treatment to the new wastewater plant in Drogheda. Since the new pumping stations, including the main pumping station to Drogheda were commissioned, I understand that there have been some mechanical difficulties with the pumps which have resulted in storm overflows coming into operation more frequently than intended. I understand that Meath County Council is addressing this issue.