andMr. Boylan asked the Minister for the Environment if he will approve the contract papers for Belturbet water supply scheme, County Cavan, having regard to the fact that the papers were lodged in his Department over a year ago and that three sets of queries have been dealt with; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Belturbet (Cavan) Water Supply Scheme.
7.
Mr. Fitzpatrick
While contract documents for the proposed scheme are with my Department at present, I cannot say when the scheme will be allowed to go to tender stage having regard to the existing high level of commitments and the availability of capital for the sanitary services programme.
I am extremely disappointed with the Minister's reply, as will be the people of Belturbet. Is the Minister aware of the poor supply there, of the quality of the water, that a notice to boil was issued over 12 months ago and that notice still stands, and that quite a lot of sickness in children and old people was noticed in Belturbet over the summer months? Is the Minister aware that Belturbet is a Border town suffering extremely from cross Border traffic, with business practically at a standstill, depending on tourism for which an adequate water supply is a must, that at present many guest houses and hotels in the town have not got an adequate water supply and tourists are not attracted there for that reason? Will the Minister see to it that a new water scheme is started immediately in Belturbet? The people there have been campaigning for a number of years. Contract documents have been drawn up and I charge the Minister's Department——
The Deputy has made his point.
——with dealing with this problem.
The Deputy has a point. The existing system providing 60,000 gallons a day is not capable of meeting the demands placed upon it now. There have been continuing difficulties about this scheme. It seems unfortunate that it goes back quite some time in so far as the preparation of the necessary documentation is concerned. But at least the Deputy will be pleased to hear that, after a long and protracted revision of the documents and the seeking of extra technical advice, these documents are finally in order at long last. As to the question of providing the funding in the near future, this is an important scheme. The Deputy has made a good case and if it is possible for me to accommodate him from the allocation available I will be happy to do so. I cannot say at the moment——
I am glad the Minister is now satisfied that the documents are in order, that the scheme is ready to go forward and that the only holdup is money. Does the Minister agree that the fact that people have been advised to boil the water suggests that there is a health hazard if the water is not boiled? Does he accept that that is a positive danger to the people in the area, particularly children? Will he take steps to treat this scheme as needing exceptional attention and sanction the placing of the contract?
I understand that the water is being boiled as a precautionary measure on a regular basis.
It suggests a health hazard.
I do not know about that difficulty but the proposed augmentation will relieve that situation. The documentation has finally been perfected and I am satisfied from the brief here that it is now technically in order.
Could the Minister tell us when he is going to place the contract? That is the question.
I have not presumed that far.
The Minister appears to be quite reasonable in everything except telling us when he is going to place the contract.
I accept there is a good case.
No amount of soft chat is of any use if the contract is not placed.
(Interruptions.)
This approach is paying dividends.
It is better than barking, is it not? I recognise what both the Deputy and his colleague have said about the scheme. There is a need for improvement in that area. It is incapable of meeting the demands being placed upon it now. The augmentation is necessary and I have indicated that I will be as sympathetic as I can when the money is available to me.
When will that be?
I must call the next question now.