asked the Minister for Local Government whether plans for a sewerage scheme at Knock, County Mayo, were submitted to his Department for sanction; whether sanction has been given; and if not, why not.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Knock (Mayo) Sewerage Scheme.
12.
Final drawings for this scheme were submitted to my Department by the Mayo County Council in August last for approval. Some proposals involved in the drawings were discussed with the Consulting Engineer and the Council was informed on the 31st October last that certain revisions were being examined by him. His further report is now awaited.
Is the Minister aware that the delay in his Department will cause a year's delay in commencing this scheme because a sewerage scheme at Knock cannot be commenced in the middle of the pilgrim season?
Further, is the Minister aware that, during the past summer, sanitary conditions in Knock were a menace to public health? I would ask the Minister to expedite sanction of these schemes.
I am aware of most of what the Deputy said. I do not agree that delay on the part of the Department is responsible for this matter.
Would the Minister not consider that a delay of four months means a delay of a further year in commencing this scheme? We must now wait until this time next year before it starts.
A consulting engineer is not my problem.
A local authority——
Why does the Department not give sanction?
The Department cannot sanction something with which it does not agree.