Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Nov 1997

Vol. 482 No. 3

Written Answers. - Water and Sewerage Schemes.

Pádraic McCormack

Question:

239 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the current position regarding the sanctioning of the Connemara environmental water and sewerage scheme project, which Galway County Council had submitted for EU Cohesion Funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17734/97]

Pádraic McCormack

Question:

240 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the current position regarding the application by Galway County Council and his Department for funding for the Connemara environmental project which was submitted to the European Commission more than two years ago; his views on the great need for the follow-up of this matter in view of the fact that the water and sewerage needs of the entire Connemara area is currently an urgent matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17735/97]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 239 and 240 together.

An application for Cohesion Fund assistance in respect of stage 1 of the Connemara environment project was submitted to the European Commission in May 1995. This stage is concerned with the construction of new water supply schemes at Spiddal-Rossaveal and the Aran Islands, together with the planning of new sewerage schemes at Clifden and Kilronan. To date no decision has been received from the Commission. Notwithstanding this, my Department has approved the provision of new water storage and abstraction works at Inis Oirr and the upgrading of the Inis Meain group water scheme. Last week, I announced the approval of the Spiddal-Rossaveal scheme and construction is expected to commence very shortly.

My Department maintains ongoing contact with the Commission regarding the urgency attaching to the Connemara application and wrote, most recently on September 5 last, to press for early approval.