asked the Minister for the Environment if he will take steps to ensure that all sewerage effluent is fully treated before being discharged into Galway Bay waters under the Galway city main drainage scheme; and if he will give early approval to alterations in plans recently approved by his Department which would have resulted in the discharge of raw sewage into the inner waters of Galway Bay; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Galway Bay Sewerage Effluent.
22.
The Galway Corporation prepared and submitted to my Department plans for the Galway main drainage improvement scheme. The first stage of the scheme which consisted of the laying of interceptor sewers has been completed at a cost of approximately £1 million.
The corporation's plans for the next section of the scheme consisting of a pumping station and preliminary treatment works were approved by my Department in June 1983 thus clearing the way for the invitation of tenders for that section. The corporation's proposals for the acceptance of tenders were approved in July 1983 — tenders for plant — and in November 1983 — tenders for buildings. The completion of that section would result in the sewage being discharged through diffusers after preliminary treatment which would have the effect of reducing or eliminating the solids in the sewage. At present, the sewage is discharged without treatment at Claddagh Quay and South Park.
The next section of the overall scheme as planned would involve the building of a rising main to take the sewage after preliminary treatment to Mutton Island with an outfall to deep water from Mutton Island. I understand that Galway Corporation commissioned a special report from An Foras Forbartha on the proposed Mutton Island outfall and that in the light of that report it is the view of the technical advisers of the local authority and of my Department that further treatment is not necessary at present. It is envisaged, however, that the need for further treatment may arise as the scheme reaches its full design capacity.
I am aware that concern has been expressed locally in recent months in relation to certain aspects of the overall scheme and that, as a result, commencement of work on the pumping station has been deferred. I would not wish to say anything at this stage which might affect consideration by the Galway Corporation of the various public health, development, environmental, financial and other aspects of the matter. I would, however, like to confirm that the allocation of capital on foot of the loan of £1,437,000 which has been sanctioned in respect of the scheme will not be affected by the delay.
Will the Minister accept from me that the citizens of Galway find it very hard to accept that the Minister and his Department have approved a sewerage scheme which does not provide for the full treatment of sewage and which will allow discharge into the waters of inner Galway Bay of raw sewage? The treatment to which the Minister referred is minimal. It is not a chemical treatment and cannot be deemed to be a cleansing of sewage effluent in any way. In view of the existing legislation in this area with regard to the pollution of water, and in view of the responsibility of the Department of the Environment to ensure the provision of clean water, would the Minister accept that it is improper for his Department to have sanctioned the discharge of sewage without treatment into Galway Bay, an area which depends to such a high degree on revenue from tourism——
This is a very long question.
——and with the possibility of the pollution of adjoining beaches and waters where large numbers of people bathe regularly, particularly in the summer months? It is absolutely unbelievable to the citizens of Galway that the Minister's Department would proceed with a modern sewerage scheme without ensuring that the sewage effluent would be fully treated.
In my reply I said:
I understand that Galway Corporation commissioned a special report from An Foras Forbartha on the proposed Mutton Island outfall and that in the light of that report it is the view of the technical advisers of the local authority and of my Department that further treatment is not necessary at present.
The local authority experts and the experts in my Department are of the opinion that it is not necessary at present. I understand there has been disagreement on this decision. I said to the corporation that the money which has been sanctioned will not be affected if further consideration is given to it.
On the evidence in Galway of the work of the officials of the Minister's Department and the local authority it is very hard to accept that they have any expertise whatever in this area.
Deputy Molloy must put a question.
I am asking the Minister if he would accept from me that people find it very hard to accept that these people have any expertise in this area. In Knocknacarra raw sewage is being discharged. The corporation are now proposing to put raw sewage in at South Park and the county council are proposing to put raw sewage in at Oranmore.
The Deputy will have to find some other way to put this on the record.
I accept the restrictions of Question Time. Have the Department of Fisheries been approached formally on this matter for their approval for the discharge of effluent into Galway Bay under this scheme?
I am not aware of that approach to the Department of Fisheries. I have to defend the technical staff in my Department when they report on a matter like this. I have said to the Deputy — and I think it is quite reasonable — that, if there is a problem and there continues to be a problem about this, I am giving time to the public representatives in this area and to the technical staffs to make their case. This will not affect the money sanctioned when they complete the argument with their own staff in Galway and resolve whatever is in contention between the officials of the local authority and my Department.
Is the Minister aware that the consultant employed by the local authority said that ideally this sewage should be treated but, due to financial restrictions, his brief did not allow for that?
I am not aware of that. That has not been given to me as a reason for the controversy which exists.
Is the Minister aware that the pump house which is part of this scheme, and which it is proposed to erect in South Park, is a building of about 220 yards long and about 16 or 17 feet high which will block out the traditional view of Galway Bay? If this were a planning application put forward in the normal way by a private individual it would be turned down immediately. Here we have a local authority proceeding to erect a monstrosity in a very prominent location which will block out a very valuable and traditional view of Galway Bay.
That is not a question.
Is the Minister aware of what he has sanctioned? Is he aware that he has sanctioned a monstrosity?
I have allowed a delay so that these problems can be looked at again. I would be very concerned if my father's city were to be desecrated as the Deputy suggests. I have not put any pressure on the local authority to go ahead in a particular direction. In fact, I have done the opposite. I am allowing them time to consider further what is being done.
I will not delay the House much longer. I accept the Minister's goodwill in the matter and that he has agreed to a postponement to allow for further consideration. I want to impress upon him the absolute urgency of this matter and how important it is. Would the Minister agree some time in the near future to come to Galway and see this proposal for himself? I am certain that if he realised what is involved he would not agree to the proposals put forward by the corporation being implemented, that he himself would demand the major changes for which the residents of the city are asking.
I have also had representations from other public representatives in the area. I will be in Galway in the near future and if the Deputy wishes we can look at the situation together.
I thank the Minister and I look forward to the meeting. He should bring his golf clubs with him.