asked the Minister for the Environment when a public inquiry will be held in order that he may confirm the water rights order for the Gort regional water scheme, County Galway.
Written Answers . - Gort (Galway) Regional Water Scheme .
630.
: I would draw the Deputy's attention to my reply of 2 March 1983 on this subject.
On 25 March 1983, Galway County Council made a Compulsory Purchase Order for the acquisition of lands required for the scheme, and specified 3 May 1983 as the latest date for receipt by me of objections to the order. On 1 April 1983, the council published a notice under the Public Health (Ireland) Act, 1878, in relation to the construction of two reservoirs which form part of the project, and specified 3 June 1983 as the latest date for receipt of objections to this proposal.
If valid objections are made to either or both of these proposals, I must have a public local inquiry held into such objections in conjunction with the inquiry into objections made to the water rights proposal.
The Deputy will understand, therefore, that my Department must wait until the time allowed for the making of objections to the proposal for the construction of the reservoirs has expired, 3 June 1983, before arranging the necessary inquiries.