Thank you for allowing me raise this issue and I am glad that the Minister of State, Deputy McManus, who is familiar with County Cavan is here to respond.
The environment action programme published in 1990 stated that the Department of the Environment had asked Cavan County Council to submit plans as a matter of urgency to upgrade the sewerage treatment works at Ballyjamesduff. Ballyjamesduff is situated on the Mountnugent river, a very important tributary of Lough Sheelin.
The provision of a modern and efficient sewerage system for Ballyjamesduff is essential. Since the publication of the environment action programme in 1990, the various stages of planning for this project have been completed and I understand that the contract documents are with the Department for approval. In his reply to a parliamentary question recently, the Minister indicated that the Ballyjamesduff sewerage scheme was included in the Lough Ree catchment protection scheme, which has been submitted to the European Commission for assistance under the Cohesion Fund.
The reason I raise this matter on the adjournment is to indicate the urgency attached to having a new scheme put in place at the earliest possible date. The present treatment works are totally inadequate for the town and unfortunately the lack of a proper treatment plant is a contributory factor to damaging the water quality in Lough Sheelin. It is reckoned that the present inadequate scheme contributes between 11 and 40 per cent of the total phosphorous load in the lake. Lough Sheelin was one of Europe's premier brown trout fishing lakes and is one of our major natural resources for angling. It has had unfortunately its ups and downs and I take this opportunity to compliment the many individuals, organisations and public agencies who have contributed and are still contributing very significantly to its restoration on the success they have had in creating an awareness among the people of the need to conserve major waterways such as Lough Sheelin.
The provision of a new sewage treatment scheme in Ballyjamesduff is totally in keeping with the philosophy of preserving and nurturing our environment to the highest possible standard. I am sure the Minister will have to determine the priorities for the commencement of schemes and expenditure when the Cohesion Fund applications are approved by the European Commission. I appeal to the Minister on behalf of the people of Ballyjamesduff, of County Cavan and the adjoining counties and everyone at home and abroad who wants to see Lough Sheelin in a permanent state of good health. This would be a major infrastructural asset to Ballyjamesduff, to that area of south Cavan and to the tourism and angling industries. I hope the Minister will indicate that this scheme is a priority one and that work will commence before the end of 1995.
