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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 28 Nov 1968

Vol. 237 No. 9

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Water and Sewerage Schemes.

38.

asked the Minister for Local Government when an application was made for a group water scheme at Drumfin, County Sligo; the reasons for the long delay in getting this scheme started; and what the present position is.

Formal application for this group scheme was made in September, 1965. It is, however, dependent for a supply of water on an extension of the Ballymote regional network. The full scheme of extensions to the Ballymote network is not regarded by the local authority as having a high priority. I understand, however, that after determining the order of priority the council agreed to give the Drumfin extension a high priority but it is not clear how the extension ranks in the context of the council's overall priorities.

Clarification by the council of the position in this respect was requested some time ago and is awaited.

It is a pity the Minister would not have given a clear answer to Question No. 37. He pulled a fast one on us.

This is Drumfin, County Sligo, not Drumfin, Ballyfermot.

(Interruptions.)

It is a disgrace that there is no City Architect.

39.

asked the Minister for Local Government when work is expected to commence on the Templenoe group water scheme, County Kerry; and the reason for the delay in approving the plans which were sent to his Department about three years ago.

On the latest information available to me the local authority do not regard this scheme as having a high priority on their public water supply programme.

This is not a group scheme as suggested by the Deputy but the possibility of proceeding with the scheme on this basis will be investigated.

40.

asked the Minister for Local Government the position in regard to the Rockmills, County Cork group water scheme.

A local natural source of water supply is not available and consequently no progress can be made at present on the promotion of a group scheme.

41.

asked the Minister for Local Government whether a group water scheme for the Powerstown district of Clonmel, County Tipperary will be implemented soon.

The design for this scheme has been sent to the county council for approval. They have been asked to expedite their decision.

42.

asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware of the urgent need for the implementation of a group water scheme to meet the needs of a number of families at Newcastle, Clonmel, County Tipperary.

A design for this scheme is at present being prepared by the group's engineer.

43.

asked the Minister for Local Government the present position regarding the Tooreenamult, Gneeveguilla water scheme, County Kerry, in which 14 farmers are involved and which is awaiting sanction.

There are no proposals before my Department for a water supply scheme to serve Tooreenamult, Gneeveguilla, County Kerry.

44.

asked the Minister for Local Government the present position regarding the Valentia Island water scheme, County Kerry, which is urgently needed.

Having regard to the necessity to conserve available capital for housing and other essential services only those sanitary services works of the highest priority can be allowed to proceed at the present time. On this basis I am not yet in a position to say when a decision on the scheme referred to by the Deputy is likely to issue.

45.

asked the Minister for Local Government the up-todate position regarding the provision of an adequate water supply to the town of Tubbercurry, County Sligo, and the surrounding districts.

Sligo County Council's proposal to appoint consultants to prepare a preliminary report on a water supply improvement scheme for Tubbercurry was approved by me on 19th July, 1968.

46.

asked the Minister for Local Government if he will provide sufficient funds to have the extensions to Ballymore regional water supply, County Sligo carried out.

On the latest information available to me the local authority do not regard the scheme of extensions referred to by the Deputy as having a high priority in their water and sewerage programme.

47.

asked the Minister for Local Government if Fivemilebourne water supply will extend to the house of a person (name supplied) at Banagher, Fivemilebourne, County Leitrim; and when work will commence on this scheme.

Leitrim County Council's proposals for extension of Fivemilebourne water supply to Lough Gill which will serve 20 houses, were approved by me on 8th October, 1968. I have no information as to the names of the individual householders to be served by the scheme.

48.

asked the Minister for Local Government if he will now sanction proposals sent to his Department by Kilkenny County Council for the extension of the Bennettsbridge regional water supply scheme to the areas of (a) Kilbline, (b) Danville and Warrington, and (c) Dunbell and Maddoxtown.

On the latest information available to me the local authority do not regard the water supply schemes for Kilbline, Danville, Warrington and Maddoxtown as having a high priority in their water and sewerage programme.

No proposals have been submitted to my Department for a water supply scheme to serve Dunbell.

49.

asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware of the urgent need for a piped water supply for the people in the Kilmanahan area of Clonmel, County Tipperary; and how soon this position will be remedied.

I have approved Waterford County Council's revised proposals for a water supply scheme for Kilmanahan.

50.

asked the Minister for Local Government the present position regarding the provision of water for the Rolestown, Oldtown, Ballyboughal and Garristown areas of County Dublin; and when it is expected that a water supply will be available to these areas.

The areas referred to by the Deputy will be provided with a water supply as part of Contract No. 10 of the North Dublin regional water supply scheme, for which contract documents were approved by me on the 7th June last.

I understand that the local authority are at present engaged in acquiring necessary land rights for the scheme and that when they have been acquired the contract will be advertised for tender.

51.

asked the Minister for Local Government when details, drawings and bills of quantities in respect of sanitary service schemes for South Douglas Road, Ballyvolane Road, Lower Glanmire Road and Model Farm Road, Cork, were submitted to him for approval; why approval has not yet been given; whether the delay in giving approval is due to shortage of staff; and when his decision may be expected.

Proposals for watermain extensions and renewals in the areas referred to by the Deputy were submitted by Cork Corporation on the 30th August, 1968, and are at present under consideration in my Department. There has been no undue delay in dealing with these proposals.

I hope to be in a position to convey a decision thereon shortly.

52.

asked the Minister for Local Government the up-todate position regarding the provision of a sewerage scheme at the seaside resort of Rosses Point, County Sligo; the reasons for the delay in starting this scheme; and when it is now expected it will start.

Revised preliminary proposals for Rosses Point sewerage scheme were approved by me on 20th September, 1968.

53.

asked the Minister for Local Government the position regarding an application by Wicklow County Council for sanction to appoint a consultant engineer for the sewage scheme at Shillelagh, County Wicklow.

I have approved the appointment of a consulting engineer to prepare a preliminary report and estimate for a sewerage scheme for Shillelagh.

54.

asked the Minister for Local Government whether his Department had any consultations with Dublin Corporation on the treatment of sewage; and whether any change is contemplated in the present situation, where sewers open into the River Liffey.

I understand that there are no public sewers discharging direct to the Liffey. My Department has had continuous consultations with the Dublin Corporation in connection with the provision of new major drainage works in the Dublin area. As I indicated in a reply to an earlier question by the Deputy these new works are being so designed that they will remedy to a considerable extent any existing pollution problems in the Dublin area.

Could the Minister say when any public sewer ceased to discharge into the Liffey?

I said that there are no public sewers discharging direct into the Liffey.

Can the Minister say when any public sewer ceased to discharge there?

I do not know.

Would the Minister try to find out?

Yes, if the Deputy puts down a question.

It is not so very long ago. I am merely pointing out how very much out of touch with affairs the Minister is.

Is sewage being drained into the Liffey even if not from a public source?

I understand that there are no public sewers discharging direct into the Liffey.

I should like the Minister to have a word with the city engineer.

It is being drained into the Liffey, not pumped.

So far as I know there are no public sewers discharging direct into the Liffey.

A very interesting lecture was delivered recently.

55.

asked the Minister for Local Government the date upon which approval was sought by Cork Corporation for the preparation by the consulting engineers of a preliminary report on the Beaumont sewer; when he intends to make a decision on this; and the reasons for the delay in giving approval.

56.

asked the Minister for Local Government the date upon which the Cork Corporation sought approval for the preparation of contract documents for sewer No. 3 at Knocknaheeny, County Cork; when a decision will be taken in this matter; and the cause of the delay in giving approval.

With your permission, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 56 together.

On the 7th March, 1962, Cork Corporation sought approval to the appointment of a consulting engineer to prepare a preliminary report for a main drainage scheme for Cork city. Preliminary proposals for that section of the work known as the Beaumont sewer were received on 8th August, 1968, and are at present under consideration in my Department. I hope to give a decision at an early date.

Preliminary proposals for sewer No. 3 at Knocknaheeny were submitted to my Department on the 24th July, 1968, and are also under consideration.

57.

asked the Minister for Local Government if he will expedite the development of the Dublin south city drainage scheme so that the industrial sites in the extended Ballyfermot industrial area can be serviced and that housing sites can be made available.

The planning of this scheme is primarily a matter for the Dublin Corporation who I am informed are doing everything possible to expedite it.

Is the Minister aware that the extension of the industrial site in the Ballyfermot area is dependent on a sewer being installed as soon as possible? Is he further aware that deliberate attempts are being made by Labour and Fine Gael members of Dublin Corporation to impede this drainage work and to impede development of industry on the south side of the city and will the Minister ensure that the work is expedited?

I am not so aware but I should not be surprised.

I am surprised at a responsible Minister saying that.

If the Minister is not aware of this, having regard to what was stated by Deputy Dowling, will the Minister not take steps to ascertain the facts of the situation bearing in mind the accusation made by Deputy Dowling which is absolutely untrue?

I am aware, for instance, that meetings of the city council to deal with matters affecting their functions as the city council have been abandoned whereas special meetings have been held to consider matters that are no concern of theirs.

When did that happen?

(Interruptions.)
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