asked the Minister for Local Government if the Dublin County Council accepted a tender last August for the construction of the main treatment works at Leixlip, County Kildare for the North County Dublin Regional Water Supply Scheme; if he is aware that the construction of this important work continues to be delayed by legal difficulties; that three years will be required to complete these works; and the acute shortage of water in Fingal, County Dublin will continue for at least three years after the legal problems have been solved; and if he will now arrange to sponsor legislation to enable this project to proceed so that the supply of bog water from the Bog of the Ring to Balbriggan and Skerries may be discontinued, and so that an adequate supply of water may be made available in Swords, Malahide, Donabate and Rush to enable proposed building and other schemes in these areas to be commenced.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - North Dublin Water Supply Scheme.
21.
Dublin County Council accepted tenders last August for pumping and filtration plant for the North Dublin regional water supply scheme but have not yet invited tenders for the civil engineering portion of the main treatment works at Leixlip.
The legal difficulty in regard to water abstraction has not occasioned any significant delay in the commencement of these works. The preparation of proposals for legislation to overcome the legal difficulty is under consideration. In the meantime the planning of the scheme is proceeding.