Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 606: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has received the preliminary report for the Bundoran sewerage scheme, County Donegal; when the report was received; the position of same; when it is expected that approval will be given to allow the scheme to proceed to tender and construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25203/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The Bundoran Sewerage Scheme is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 as a scheme to commence construction in 2008. The wastewater treatment plant for Bundoran is being procured under a single Design/Build/Operate contract that also includes Killybegs and Glencolmcille. Donegal County Council's Preliminary Report for Bundoran was received in my Department in February 2006. Since then detailed discussions have taken place between my Department and the Council in relation to the apportionment of costs between the domestic and non-domestic sectors in the context that my Department will meet the domestic element of the capital costs. I expect a decision on the Preliminary Report to be conveyed to the Council shortly. The Preliminary Report for Glencolmcille is also under consideration in the Department and is being dealt with as quickly as possible. The Preliminary Report for Killybegs has already been approved. Once the Preliminary Report for Bundoran has been approved the Council will be in a position to prepare Contract Documents for the collection system which will be procured under a separate contract. Tender documents for the three treatment plants can be drawn up when all Preliminary Reports have been approved.

Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 607: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in view of the fact that the sewage treatment plant at Osberstown in County Kildare is at full capacity, he will intervene to prevent the proposed further zoning of land for residential use at Prosperous, County Kildare as the waste water from any development there would have to be pumped to and treated at the Osberstown plant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25211/07]

Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 617: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Osberstown sewage treatment plant in County Kildare is at full capacity and that the water supply in the county is at near maximum capacity; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that there are 2000 acres of land zoned for development in the county and that the River Liffey is at capacity in its ability to assimilate further phosphates from sewerage treatment plants or to have further water abstracted for human consumption; the plans in place to pipe water for human consumption in County Kildare from the River Shannon and to pump the sewerage to a marine outfall for treatment; if he will declare a moratorium on further zoning of land for development in County Kildare until such time as there is an adequate water supply and capacity to treat waste water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25366/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 607 and 617 together.

The current position in relation to water services schemes in Kildare is set out in Question No. 559 of 16 October 2007 and previous replies. The Draft Prosperous Local Area Plan was published for public consultation in April 2007. Zoning of land is addressed in the Draft Plan. I understand from Kildare County Council that the Draft Plan is currently at amendments stage and will shortly be presented to the elected members for adoption. In accordance with section 20 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 as amended by the Planning and Development (Amendments) Act 2002, the making of a local area plan is a reserved function of the planning authority for the area and I have no function in relation to this. Furthermore, under the above Acts, reviewing or varying the Kildare County Development Plan 2005-2011 is also a reserved function of the elected members of Kildare County Council.