Vol. 479 No. 3
76 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Environment the matters of priority his Department has for the bathing areas in the city limits of Dublin; the areas which have been identified for improvement and enhancement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12980/97]
Environmental priorities for Dublin Bay are principally set out in the Dublin Bay water quality management plan, jointly prepared and adopted by Dublin Corporation and the other local authorities concerned. This establishes objectives for maintaining and improving water quality in areas of major recreation and conservation, including bathing areas.
The major contribution to these objectives will come from improved waste water treatment facilities which are being progressively implemeted with benefit to Dublin Bay. The largest of these schemes is Dublin Corporation's proposal to upgrade and expand the existing waste water treatment plant at Ringsend, at an estimated cost of over £200 million. Construction on the interim sludge contract, which forms part of this overall project, is due to commence by end 1997.
