Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 380: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will immediately appoint an expert group to fast track the selection process and the installation of a permanent water filtration system plan for Ennis, County Clare in view of the continuing boil notices as a matter of urgency. [43456/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Ennis Town Water Supply Treatment Scheme, which will provide a new water treatment plant for Ennis, is approved for construction in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005-2007.

My Department issued approval to Clare County Council to invite tenders for the scheme in October 2005. I understand that the closing date set for submission of tenders was 13 October 2006 and that the Council is currently assessing the bids received.

The provision of clean drinking water is a fundamental customer service priority for local authorities. Accordingly my Department has emphasised to Clare County Council the need to accelerate the provision of the new treatment plant and to minimise the disruption and inconvenience caused to Ennis consumers by Boil Water Notices.

In the meantime and to alleviate the problem, my Department provided the Council with funding for a temporary water treatment plant. The Council's report to the Department in relation to the latest Boil Water Notice, caused by technical difficulties with the temporary plant, indicates that a tender recommendation for the new permanent plant will be submitted for Departmental approval in the new year with a view to construction starting before the end of the Spring. I will be closely monitoring progress in that regard.