Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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168. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the progress made to deliver the Gaoth Dobhair sewerage scheme; the details of the latest correspondence exchanged between his Department and the European Commission concerning the infringement case to which the scheme relates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32535/16]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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179. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will provide a progress report on Gweedore sewerage scheme; the status and timeframe moving forward for its delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32758/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 168 and 179 together.

The Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) requires that all agglomerations greater than 2,000 population equivalent are provided with collecting systems for urban waste water and that collected waste water receives the appropriate level of treatment before discharge.

The Directive also provides that where the establishment of a collecting system is not justified either because it would provide no environmental benefit or because it would involve disproportionate cost, individual appropriate systems (e.g. septic tanks) which achieve the same level of environmental protection can be used.

The European Commission has queried the provision of a collecting system for Gaoth Dobhair as part of a wider infringement procedure concerning implementation of Directive 91/271/EEC on urban waste water. In January 2016, my Department, assisted by Irish Water, and in consultation with the Environmental Protection Agency, responded to the Commission in relation to this infringement procedure. The response pointed to consideration of possible options being reviewed by Irish Water in relation to Gaoth Dobhair. In September 2016, a reasoned opinion on this infringement issued from the European Commission. My Department, with the support of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Irish Water, is currently preparing a response to this reasoned opinion. The response will include an update on the position in relation to Gaoth Dobhair.

Since 1 January 2014 Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels, including the management of urban waste water collection and treatment infrastructure. Irish Water has set out in its Water Services Strategic Plan its approach and strategies for the delivery of these services in a manner that will protect the environment and provide wastewater services in an efficient and economic manner. Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to or by telephone on a dedicated number, 1890 578 578.