Vol. 703 No. 3
6 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number and nature of each separate project carried out to develop public water supplies for 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9517/10]
42 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of money allocated and spent for each local authority to develop and or maintain its public water supplies in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 in tabular form with each separate project identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9516/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 42 together.
Capital expenditure by the Exchequer between 2005 and 2009 on the provision of water supply infrastructure amounted to €1.5 billion. Some 73 such projects were completed under the water services investment programme. The first table that follows this reply sets out details of the public water supply projects completed under the water services investment programme for the period 2005-09. Information on water supply projects completed under the largely devolved rural water programme and costs associated with the maintenance of public water supplies may be obtained from individual water services authorities. The second table sets out capital expenditure by the Exchequer in each local authority area on the provision of water and wastewater infrastructure over the period 2005-09. Approximately 47% of the expenditure over the period relates to the provision of water supply infrastructure. In addition to expenditure on the completed projects shown in the first table, money was spent on additional projects advanced through the planning and construction phases for completion in subsequent years, ongoing water conservation programmes and the rural water programme. Deputies Lynch and Tuffy will agree that the extensive information in the tables is more like that found in a written reply than that provided on Question Time.
|
Year |
Project |
Type of work |
|
2005 |
Bohernabreena Spillways, Dublin City |
Reservoir |
|
2005 |
Pelletstown W&S Scheme SLI, Dublin City |
SLI |
|
2005 |
South Kildare Water Supply Scheme RTVI, Kildare |
Supply Networks, Reservoir |
|
2005 |
Achill 4C, Mayo |
Supply Networks, Reservoir |
|
2005 |
Knock Road SLI, Mayo |
SLI |
|
2005 |
Navan AC Mains Replacement, Meath |
Supply Networks |
|
2005 |
Surface Water Sewer at Collins Lane Tullamore, Offaly |
SLI |
|
2005 |
Lucan High Level WSS, South Dublin |
Supply Networks, Reservoir |
|
2005 |
Lough Owel TP, Westmeath |
Treatment Plant Works |
|
2005 |
Mullingar RWSS Sth Western High Level Area, Westmeath |
Treatment Plant Works |
|
2006 |
Tullow Rising Main Replacement, Carlow |
Supply Networks |
|
2006 |
Mallow/Fermoy/Blarney STW Upgrading SLI, Cork County |
SLI |
|
2006 |
Swords Trunk Main Augmentation (SLI), Fingal |
SLI |
|
2006 |
Firies/ Scartaglen Regional Water Supply Southern Section Part B, Kerry |
Supply Networks, Reservoir |
|
2006 |
Listowel Regional Water Supply Scheme Stage 4. , Kerry |
Supply Networks, Reservoir |
|
2006 |
Tullamore Water Supply Scheme Cts 1& 3 Sillogue Well, Offaly |
Supply Networks |
|
2006 |
Lough Owel Treatment Plant Extension, Westmeath |
Treatment Plant Works |
|
2007 |
Cobh/ Midleton/ Carrigtwohill Water Supply Scheme, Cork County |
Treatment Plant Works, Supply Networks and Reservoir |
|
2007 |
Dublin North Fringe Water Supply Scheme (Sillogue Storage), Dublin City |
Reservoir |
|
2007 |
Dublin Reservoirs Covering Construction — Vartry, Dublin City |
Reservoir |
|
2007 |
Carna/Kilkieran Water Supply Scheme, Galway County |
Treatment Plant Works, Supply Networks |
|
2007 |
Kilcolgan Water Supply Scheme, Galway County |
SLI |
|
2007 |
Loughrea — Ext to Craughwell Phase 1, Galway County |
Treatment Plant Works, Supply Networks |
|
2007 |
Tuam Regional Water Supply Scheme (Ext. to Clarinbridge) (H), Galway County |
Supply Networks |
|
2007 |
Tuam Regional Water Supply Scheme (Ext. to Headford) (H), Galway County |
Treatment Plant Works, Supply Networks |
|
2007 |
Caherciveen Water Supply Scheme, Kerry |
Supply Networks, Reservoir |
|
2007 |
North Ardfert Water Supply Source protection, Kerry |
Supply Networks |
|
2007 |
Kildare Water Supply Scheme Phase 1 -Trunk Watermains (Contract 3B — Ardscull to Athy), Kildare |
Supply Networks |
|
2007 |
Ballina Water Supply Scheme (Ext. to Crossmolina) (H), Mayo |
Supply Networks |
|
2007 |
Navan AC Watermains Network Phases 2 & 3, Meath |
Supply Networks |
|
2007 |
Trim Water Improvement Scheme, Meath |
SLI |
|
2007 |
Athlone Water Treatment Plant (G), Westmeath |
Treatment Plant Works |
|
2008 |
Carlow North Regional Water Supply Scheme — Advance Contract, Carlow |
Treatment Plant Works |
|
2008 |
Newmarket on Fergus Water Supply Scheme (excl. Advance Works), Clare |
Supply Networks, Reservoir |
|
2008 |
Tulla Water Supply & Sewerage Scheme, Clare |
SLI |
|
2008 |
West Clare Regional Water Supply Scheme (Contract 6), Clare |
Supply Networks |
|
2008 |
Inniscarra water Treatment Plant Extension Phase 1(Lamaellae Plates), Cork County |
Treatment Plant Works |
|
2008 |
Watergrasshill Water Supply Scheme (incl. Sewerage), Cork County |
SLI |
|
2008 |
Letterkenny Water Supply, Donegal |
Treatment Plant Works, Supply Networks and Reservoir |
|
2008 |
Dublin Reservoirs Covering Construction (Stillorgan Advance Works), Dublin City |
Reservoir |
|
2008 |
Saggart Water Supply Scheme (Chlorination), Dublin City |
Treatment Plant Works |
|
2008 |
Leixlip Ballycoolen Reservoir & Water Tower, Fingal |
Reservoir |
|
2008 |
Leixlip Ballycoolen Rising Mains, Fingal |
Reservoir |
|
2008 |
Craughwell Water Supply Scheme, Galway County |
Supply Networks |
|
2008 |
Gort Water/Sewerage, Galway County |
SLI |
|
2008 |
Roundstone Water Supply Scheme, Galway County |
Supply Networks |
|
2008 |
Kerry Central Regional Water Supply Scheme (Treatment) — Advance Contract, Kerry |
Tretament Plant Works Upgrade |
|
2008 |
Portlaoise/Mountmellick Water Supply Scheme — Advance Contract, (Eyne Borehole), Laois |
Treatment Plant Works |
|
2008 |
Castleconnell Water Supply Scheme (Upgrade), Limerick County |
SLI |
|
2008 |
Limerick County Water Network (Patrickswell/Adare), Limerick County |
Supply Networks |
|
2008 |
Longford Central Regional Water Supply Scheme Phase 1 AWC & SR — Advance Contract, Longford |
Supply Networks |
|
2008 |
Waterford South City Water Supply Scheme, Waterford City |
Supply Networks |
|
2008 |
East Waterford Water Supply Scheme Stage 2 Phase 2, Waterford County |
Treatment Plant Works |
|
2009 |
Ballyjamesduff RWSS extn to Ballinagh — Advance Contract, Cavan |
Supply Networks, Reservoir |
|
2009 |
Cavan & Cootehill RWSS — Advance Contract, Cavan |
Treatment Plant Works, Supply Networks |
|
2009 |
Kingscourt Water & Sewerage Scheme — Advance Contract, Cavan |
Treatment Plant Works, Supply Networks |
|
2009 |
Cork City Water Supply Scheme (Tivoli), Civil Contract, Cork City |
Supply Networks |
|
2009 |
Blarney Water Supply Scheme Phase 1 (Ext to Station rd), Cork County SLI — Advance Contract, Cork County |
SLI |
|
2009 |
Kenmare Water Supply Scheme, Network contract Kerry |
Supply Networks |
|
2009 |
Waterville Water Supply & Sewerage Scheme, Kerry |
Reservoir |
|
2009 |
Bennettsbridge Reg WSS — Advance Contract (raising of Well Heads), Kilkenny |
Tretament Plant Works Upgrade |
|
2009 |
South Leitrim Regional Water Supply Scheme Stage 5 Augmentation, Pumping Station Contract, Leitrim |
Supply Networks |
|
2009 |
Limerick Water Network (Southern Ring Main — City & County), Rosbrien to Dock Road & Dock Road to Ennis Road Trunk Mains, Limerick City |
Supply Networks |
|
2009 |
Shannon Estuary Water Supply Treatment Plant — Advance Contract, Limerick County |
Temporary Treatment Plant Works |
|
2009 |
Ballymahon Regional Water Supply Scheme ( Improvement) SR — Advance Contract No.2, Civil Works — Ardboghill to Edgeworthstown, Longford |
Supply Networks |
|
2009 |
East Meath, Drogheda & South Louth Water Supply Scheme — Advance Contract, Kiltrough Advance Works Stage 1 — Contract 2 Civil Works, Meath |
Treatment Plant Works, Supply Networks |
|
2009 |
East Meath, Drogheda & South Louth Water Supply Scheme — Advance Contract, Kiltrough Advance Works Stage 1 — Contract 2 M&E Works, Meath |
Treatment Plant Works, Supply Networks |
|
2009 |
Rockcorry SLI, Monaghan |
SLI |
|
2009 |
Edenderry Rhode Water Supply Scheme — Advance Contract, Offaly |
Supply Networks |
|
2009 |
Mullaghmore Water Supply Scheme — Stage 2, Sligo |
Supply Networks, Reservoir |
|
2009 |
Gorey RWSS — Wellfield, Creagh WTW Upgrade, Wexford |
Treatment Plant Works |
|
2009 |
Enniskerry Water Supply Scheme, Wicklow |
Supply Networks, Reservoir |
|
2009 |
West Wicklow Water Supply Scheme Stage 1 (Blessington), Wicklow |
Reservoir |
|
2005 Water Services WSIP + RWP* |
2006 Water Services WSIP + RWP |
2007 Water Services WSIP + RWP |
2008 Water Services WSIP + RWP |
2009 Water Services WSIP +RWP |
|
|
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
|
|
County Councils |
|||||
|
Carlow |
7,668 |
7,149 |
10,221 |
7,317 |
4,886 |
|
Cavan |
21,159 |
16,703 |
16,519 |
13,652 |
8,807 |
|
Clare |
15,247 |
14,776 |
6,539 |
21,231 |
6,561 |
|
Cork |
11,873 |
13,257 |
20,505 |
36,920 |
27,642 |
|
Donegal |
15,274 |
22,215 |
36,475 |
16,891 |
20,019 |
|
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown |
3,608 |
3,998 |
3,062 |
11,463 |
20,736 |
|
Fingal |
25,900 |
24,545 |
26,416 |
10,006 |
15,703 |
|
Galway |
22,870 |
43,807 |
33,928 |
29,716 |
19,955 |
|
Kerry |
4,639 |
10,524 |
6,671 |
12,661 |
11,070 |
|
Kildare |
31,610 |
25,644 |
14,243 |
4,072 |
16,530 |
|
Kilkenny |
2,426 |
2,377 |
1,734 |
3,705 |
3,789 |
|
Laois |
4,701 |
10,038 |
25,093 |
14,385 |
11,450 |
|
Leitrim |
6,121 |
5,584 |
11,589 |
10,054 |
15,893 |
|
Limerick |
8,682 |
11,928 |
9,491 |
8,767 |
9,531 |
|
Longford |
1,754 |
3,175 |
1,117 |
5,134 |
8,551 |
|
Louth |
4,167 |
6,367 |
3,753 |
3,174 |
4,396 |
|
Mayo |
30,935 |
47,755 |
34,846 |
21,571 |
29,773 |
|
Meath |
25,501 |
21,962 |
19,433 |
43,728 |
44,323 |
|
Monaghan |
5,599 |
4,712 |
3,149 |
9,230 |
13,427 |
|
North Tipperary |
4,422 |
9,540 |
11,226 |
8,057 |
6,828 |
|
Offaly |
9,259 |
5,258 |
5,229 |
3,325 |
6,034 |
|
Roscommon |
5,432 |
6,237 |
12,412 |
18,890 |
18,339 |
|
Sligo |
11,827 |
9,661 |
18,279 |
7,462 |
8,900 |
|
South Dublin |
2,304 |
1,595 |
138 |
8,491 |
10,968 |
|
South Tipperary |
4,474 |
6,016 |
2,805 |
3,380 |
6,493 |
|
Waterford |
22,554 |
11,612 |
12,238 |
4,676 |
7,039 |
|
Westmeath |
3,658 |
3,771 |
4,974 |
12,651 |
31,892 |
|
Wexford |
3,431 |
10,489 |
7,879 |
15,982 |
9,617 |
|
Wicklow |
8,158 |
7,917 |
12,354 |
19,578 |
22,658 |
|
County Council Totals |
325,253 |
368,613 |
372,318 |
386,168 |
421,810 |
|
City Councils |
|||||
|
Cork |
7,667 |
15,183 |
1,967 |
1,158 |
720 |
|
Dublin |
42,516 |
28,407 |
54,319 |
73,834 |
60,063 |
|
Galway |
3,429 |
6,357 |
910 |
657 |
4,885 |
|
Limerick |
30,087 |
30,206 |
36,255 |
22,398 |
10,486 |
|
Waterford |
3,393 |
10,585 |
19,858 |
9,966 |
10,764 |
|
City Council Totals |
87,093 |
90,739 |
113,308 |
108,014 |
86,918 |
|
Borough Councils |
|||||
|
Clonmel |
1,191 |
52 |
0 |
0 |
280 |
|
Drogheda |
0 |
2,774 |
0 |
569 |
0 |
|
Kilkenny |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Sligo |
204 |
107 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Wexford |
58 |
1,058 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Borough Council Totals |
1,453 |
3,991 |
0 |
569 |
280 |
|
Town Councils |
|||||
|
Arklow |
429 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Athlone |
0 |
0 |
2,918 |
0 |
0 |
|
Dundalk |
0 |
324 |
6,000 |
0 |
1,190 |
|
Ennis |
279 |
111 |
415 |
150 |
0 |
|
Fermoy |
17 |
0 |
283 |
0 |
0 |
|
Listowel |
0 |
0 |
11 |
0 |
0 |
|
Longford |
9 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Monaghan |
41 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1,099 |
|
Nenagh |
0 |
0 |
0 |
56 |
0 |
|
Skibbereen |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Templemore |
1,685 |
0 |
0 |
15 |
0 |
|
Tralee |
9 |
0 |
38 |
0 |
0 |
|
Youghal |
42 |
0 |
0 |
140 |
0 |
|
Town Council Totals |
2,514 |
435 |
9,665 |
361 |
2,289 |
|
Grand Totals |
416,314 |
463,778 |
495,291 |
495,111 |
511,017 |
I will need to examine the specific details in the tables. The Minister said a total of €1.5 billion was spent over the period in question.
I thought I said €1.1 billion. That is how much we spent on 73 projects between 2005 and 2009.
How much does the Minister anticipate will be spent over the next three years? Will it be a similar amount?
The proposed water services investment programme for the years 2010 to 2012, which will be published over the coming weeks, will set out the new water supply contracts to be progressed over the period of the plan. I have not published it yet. I have already given the Deputy information on the nature of the expenditure that is incurred when investing in water supply infrastructure. I will try to find as much information as I can. As I have not yet published the 2010-12 water services investment programme, Deputy Tuffy will have to wait for further details on it. I cannot reveal in response to a parliamentary question something that has not yet been published. In general terms, I can assure the Deputy that we have not just maintained the budget — we have increased it.
Under the new programme, will the focus change to repairing existing infrastructure? Are there many new projects that have yet to be completed?
No. The Deputy is right. I have already said we will ensure we spend considerable additional moneys on conserving water and repairing mains pipes. It makes sense to do so. I am aware of terrible water supply difficulties, particularly in my constituency, that are caused by leaking pipes and exacerbated by the cold weather. We have to deal with that. The new programme will be fully inclusive of water conservation projects. It will show water conservation works that are in progress. New contracts are scheduled to go to construction over the next two or three years. The new programme will allow for the further progression of water conservation schemes through the planning stages. As Deputies are aware, some €130 million has been spent on water conservation measures since 2003. That expenditure has been based on the needs assessments of the water services authorities. There is potential for contracts valued at over €300 million to commence over the next three years. The intention is to facilitate this under the 2010-12 investment programme. Most of the funds will be invested in the rehabilitation or replacement of the equivalent of 650 km of mains.
Around this time last year, the House debated a circular letter that was issued by the Minister requiring local authorities to keep on account whatever incomes they had derived from development levies on foot of the Maastricht criteria. It was suggested that over €1 billion had been acquired by local authorities across the country during the period of the property bubble. The difficulty is that much of the money that was being held by local authorities, which derived from development levies, was being used to improve water systems, supplies and infrastructure. The Minister has decided to ring-fence, or lock in, such money. Even though they have the money on account, local authorities are no longer able to spend it on doing works of this nature. Is it the case that local authorities which have had this development levy money for two years will be unable to spend it this year as a consequence of the circular letter that was sent by the Minister last year?
I do not think the issue raised by the Deputy is directly related to the questions before the House. Greater flexibility is being afforded to county managers as a result of our discussions with them on these issues. I do not think they are experiencing the same difficulties in respect of those levies as they did previously. The Deputy should address his questions to the managers in his local area. The discussions were quite successful in ensuring the money was freed up.
We raised this matter with local authorities when county and city managers appeared before an Oireachtas committee last year.
The Deputy is moving beyond the scope of these questions. I allowed him some latitude with his first intervention.
I am simply asking about the moneys acquired by local authorities for the improvement of water services.
The Deputy should table a separate question on the matter.
It is not an issue for local authorities. The Minister sent a directive to local authorities to the effect they should not spend money they intended to use to improve water services.
This issue will have to be the subject of another parliamentary question.
It was the subject of debate on Question Time around this time last year.
It is a relevant issue.
The Minister is entitled to have notice of a Deputy's intention to raise a matter on Question Time.
The Ceann Comhairle was not in the Chair at that time.
I am in the Chair now.
That is very important.
This issue relates directly to the provision of water services across the country. The Minister avoided answering my question at that time and he is avoiding it again today.
The Deputy is holding up Question Time. He should resume his seat.
Over €1 billion is held on account by local authorities as a result of a circular letter issued by the Minister.
If he tables another question at some future stage, we will certainly allow it.
As I understand it, the circular letter is still in place. Can the Minister tell the House whether it is still the case that money gained by local authorities through development levies to improve water services is still ring-fenced? Is it locked so that it cannot be spent?
The Deputy should table a separate parliamentary question on the matter.
Water shortages still exist in Dublin city and parts of the county. Parts of Howth and Sutton in my constituency are still affected because of what happened during the cold spell. When will this issue be finally resolved?
The Deputy will appreciate this is a matter primarily for the Dublin local authorities. As a Dublin Deputy I too have an interest in the matter. It is essential information is posted on, say, websites so that people know when shortages and low pressure will occur. Most areas have been sorted. I know from the Sandymount area and others, that were left without water for a considerable time which caused inconvenience to people, that at night time there continue to be difficulties. That is why I have set out in the new water services investment programme my intention to invest in mains rehabilitation and water conservation projects. I will be assisting all local authorities in this, not just the Dublin ones.
I have noted at home that water pressure is reduced at night. Is this due to the throttling of water supply to conserve water?
That is not really a connected question.
Although I cannot speak for the local authorities, there was record demand for water during the cold spell. People left taps running and reservoirs, subsequently, ran low. Local authorities had to cut back on water supplies, particularly at night time so as to cause the least amount of inconvenience.
I understand the water pressure problem is worst in areas on high ground. I know in my area that Terenure continues to experience this difficulty. It would be better for the Deputy, or her party's local authority members, to address these questions directly to local authority managers.
Before we move to Question No. 7, I note the reply to it is the same as that given to Question No. 3. Perhaps with the agreement of the House we could proceed directly to supplementary questions.
Agreed.
Does the Ceann Comhairle want me to read the reply into the record?
We will take it as read. If Members do not want raise supplementary questions we could move to Question No. 8.
I have no problem if we move to Question No. 8.
With respect, Question No. 3 was a priority question to which only Deputy Hogan could ask a supplementary. Not dealing with Question No. 7 deprives us of asking questions on the same matter.
I am allowing supplementary questions.
I would appreciate it still if the Minister would read the reply into the record.
7 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the White Paper on local government will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9580/10]
25 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the proposed Government White Paper on local government reform will be published; when the proposed reforms will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9385/10]
36 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he will bring forward the White Paper on local government which was promised for 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9532/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 7, 25 and 36 together.
I published the Green Paper, Local Government, Stronger Local Democracy — Options for Change, in April 2008. This was followed by an extensive programme of national consultation for purposes of informing the preparation of the White Paper on local government. This will set out policy on a wide range of local government issues and will be of great importance to the future of the local government system and its stakeholders.
The environment has altered considerably since April 2008, not least due to the severe economic downturn. Work on the White Paper has also had to have regard to the report of the Commission on Taxation, the report of the special group on public service numbers and expenditure programmes and the renewed programme for Government.
The approach to the White Paper is now under consideration by the Government. A Cabinet committee has been established to finalise the major strategic issues to be included in the paper. While this may take some additional time, it is essential we get the White Paper right, that it is grounded in today's challenges, contains appropriate ambition and can be readily implemented.
However, I am continuing to take significant local government initiatives in the meantime. As announced in the budget, I established the local government efficiency review group in December to review the cost base, expenditure of and numbers employed in local authorities.
Last week, I established the Limerick local government committee to prepare a report into the most appropriate arrangements for local government for Limerick city and county.
Yesterday, I published the general scheme of the legislation to provide for a directly elected mayor for Dublin in 2010. This marks a first and significant step in implementing broader local government change.
I anticipate many of the policy decisions in the White Paper will require further legislation over the coming years.
It was so long ago that the Green Paper was launched I cannot remember when. Much fanfare was given to it at the time but much has changed since then. There was a consultation period leading up to the publication of the Green Paper, of which the Minister has made much mention.
Since then the bord snip nua report has been published which had significant findings on the future of local government. What consideration has the Minister given to McCarthy's recommendations when drafting the White Paper?
My concern about the bord snip nua report is that reduction is not necessarily reform, although it has become a mantra in the public discourse. Ultimately, real reform would be of better service to the citizen.
On what date, even provisionally, will the Minister launch the White Paper? What input has the bord snip report had on it? Will it be issued in a draft form or eventually when we do get to see it, will it be finalised?
The Green Paper was published in April 2008. As I said in my reply, circumstances have changed considerably since then. We have had a major economic downturn. That is why we must take into account the report of the Commission onTaxation, the McCarthy report and the renewed programme for Government. The latter refers to regional government and fits in with some of the recommendations of the McCarthy report.
The McCarthy report proposed getting rid of many local authorities. I do not propose to take on board every recommendation of the report. I will examine them and the Government has always said it provides us with a menu. Last week, I established the Limerick local government committee which could provide us with a template. If one believes that strong regions derive from strong cities, then Limerick provides us with an opportunity to test local government models. If we can get it right in Limerick, it will serve as a template for other areas. Denis Brosnan, chair of the mid-west taskforce, has addressed the committee on this matter.
All these issues must be examined when considering the White Paper. A Government committee is doing so and it is going extremely well.
Another issue, of course, is the funding of local government and how this will change radically over the coming years. Once we have looked at the experience of Limerick, I would hope to be in a position to publish it before the summer, perhaps in the middle of May. I want to get it right and I want it to contain the appropriate level of ambition, so that it can be implemented and is practical. In terms of local government, town councils and boundaries of particular areas are matters replete with political sensitivities. That is why we must tread carefully. That is not to say we will not be making tough decisions. We must and we will be making tough decisions in the context of reform of local Government. One does not get reform without making tough decisions. It is not appropriate at this stage to publish this in draft form. I will talk to people about it but I hope to publish the entire document as quickly as possible.
I welcome the indication that we will see a document between now and the summer. The reform of local government is ultimately about providing a better service to the citizens. At times, public representatives, managers and others seem to be the main beneficiaries of reform. From my examination of being in local government, one of the matters is the value of SPCs and the roles they play, which seems to vary from one local authority to another. In recent years we saw the abolition of the dual mandate and I believe a vacuum has been created. Given the lack of connectivity between national government and local government on strategic issues for regions, will the Minister consider allowing Members of the Parliament or Senators to have a direct involvement in SPCs? The role of the SPCs is to address the strategic planning of a region. It would make sense for Members of Parliament to sit on SPCs to create a level of local joined-up thinking and bring it to the national level.
It is an interesting idea and I am happy to examine any ideas that Deputies may communicate to me. I am not going to discount the idea but we must examine its implications and see how it would work in effect. Deputy Lynch seems to suggest it will be a Senator.
It could be a Deputy or Senator but for strategic thinking it makes sense to have a parliamentarian as a member of SPCs.
There is a divide between local authorities and the Oireachtas and very often local councillors do not appreciate Members getting involved. They ask why we do not just stick to what we are doing in Dublin instead of bothering the local councillors. I imagine members of the Labour Party would not appreciate what they see as interference.
SPCs contain more than just local councillors; they contain directors of services in CIE and Bus Éireann and others. There is a strategic blend to an SPC and it makes sense for Members of Parliament to sit on the committees.
The difficulty in our multiseat constituencies is that the councillor is trying to oust the Deputy and might not appreciate the Deputy interfering.
Is the Minister speaking from experience?
The Green Party does not have that problem.
I am happy to examine this idea.
I fought the abolition of the dual mandate but it has happened. The policing committees have Oireachtas Members and councillors and it works quite well. I believe the move to get Deputies and Senators out of every body was a Civil Service initiative. I do not know the reason and I do not see the sense in it except the officials did not want Oireachtas Members on these bodies because they thought we would bring accountability and clout to it.
My proposal concerns Seanad reform, which is connected to local government. Perhaps the dual mandate should not have been abolished for Senators. Councillors serve in the German equivalent of the Upper House. If we want to revamp the Seanad perhaps we should allow Senators to be councillors and have a certain number of councillors in the Seanad. Why not make something of the link between the Seanad and local government? Most people would not have a problem with that.
It would be interesting to get an assessment of the effect of getting rid of the dual mandate. Many would argue we got rid of many experienced heads in local councils who could deal with managers, had an idea of where the local authority should move and took a national perspective. There are arguments for and against. There is a triple mandate in France, where politicians can be in the national Parliament as well as being mayors of cities and towns.
The Minister could run for mayor of Dublin.
That would be an interesting one.
It would be an insurance policy.
One could be mayor of Dublin and retain one's seat in this House. The current Minister for Transport, Deputy Noel Dempsey, took the decision in respect of these matters. I am not sure Deputy Tuffy can blame civil servants in this instance. The Minister took a view that did not gain acceptance in Fianna Fáil but prevailed with it. As a result of this decision, Deputies and Senators have very little or limited influence on local government activities.
Another of Deputy Dempsey's great ideas.
If we had regional government there is the possibility of interaction between regional parliaments and the Seanad. This should be explored.
8 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has assessed the possibility of merging existing agencies or responsibilities of agencies into a single River Shannon organisation that would plan for environmental affairs along the River Shannon catchment area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9622/10]
The transposition of the water framework directive in 2003 saw the establishment of eight river basin districts on the island of Ireland, including the Shannon international river basin district. The regulations transposing the directive provided, for the first time, a basis for the management of water on a catchment basis.
Implementation of the directive is being brought forward through river basin district projects led by co-ordinating local authorities. A river basin district project office, funded by my Department, was established in each of seven districts to co-ordinate the making of river basin management plans with the aim of protecting and improving the water environment within the catchment.
These plans are currently being finalised and, following adoption by the relevant local authorities, will be published in the coming months. The task of preparing river basin management plans for the purpose of the water framework directive has brought a new level of co-operation between the various existing public authorities involved in water management. Preparation of my Department's water services investment programme for 2010 to 2012 has been informed by the environmental objectives established as part of the river basin planning process.
The river basin management plans will be co-ordinated with other relevant plans including flood risk management plans to be prepared by the OPW as part of the implementation of the floods directive. The Shannon flood risk assessment and management study will be commissioned by the OPW this year to identify the level of flood risk throughout the catchment and to produce a prioritised plan of measures to address the risks. A national advisory committee was established in 2009 to co-ordinate work on the finalisation of plans and with a view to overseeing their subsequent implementation. The committee is considering options for the optimum structures necessary to ensure that the plans are implemented effectively.
The Minister and the members of the Joint Committee on the Environment, Heritage and Local Government are aware that too many agencies are involved in co-ordinating issues relating to flood defence and flooding matters. I refer specifically to the River Shannon. The Minister of State, Deputy Michael Finneran, will agree that it is difficult to get someone to take responsibility for co-ordinating the necessary measures to deal effectively with problems that have continued for a long time. Does the Minister accept there is a need, in the context of the recent floods in November 2009 and subsequent matters relating to weather, for a lead agency to co-ordinate in the most appropriate way to deal with matters relating to flooding in the River Shannon catchment area?
This was the subject of discussion recently on "Primetime" and, as the Deputy observed, it was also raised at the Oireachtas committee. The Deputy is correct that there are several agencies with responsibility in this area, including the Office of Public Works, ESB, local authorities and the National Parks and Wildlife Service, which has a role in respect of special areas of conservation and special protection areas. However, primary responsibility is with the OPW. It would require a substantial legislative undertaking to create a new agency to take over the functions of all those agencies. What is undoubtedly required is greater co-ordination and greater clarity in terms of which agency is responsible for what. In the case of flood risk management and dredging, the appropriate authority is the OPW, which is doing a good job of devising initiatives to address the flood risk difficulties in the River Shannon area.
It is interesting to note previous legislative proposals on this matter in the House. As I understand it, and my colleagues in the Labour Party will correct me if it is not so, Deputy Penrose introduced a Private Members' Bill in 2000 proposing the establishment of a Shannon river authority. This followed a Shannon river council Bill in 1998 which was defeated on Fifth Stage on the grounds that the Government, while not opposed to the aims of the Bill, was of the view that its intent would be more effectively met either by initiatives already in place or those proposed by the European Union. The latter was a reference to the EU framework directive on water policy and that is where our focus must be. As I said, we are looking at the directive and plans have been put in place. The plans for the Shannon river basis district are vital to achieving our aims. I have said repeatedly that if we can get this issue right and ensure the river basin management plans are in place, particularly for the River Shannon, we will have dealt with many of the difficulties.
It is difficult to get one's head around the concept of river basin management plans until we see something of what they entail. Everything about the system of water management seems complicated, with all these different agencies involved. As part of an evaluation some years ago of investment in water infrastructure under the national development plan, reference was made to the establishment of a water office. I share the Minister's concern about the establishment of another quango. Will he consider instead allocating that role to a section of his Department which would oversee issues to do with supply, demand, quality and so on?
I agree entirely with the Minister that flood risk management is a key aspect of any river management system. At Tuesday's meeting of the Joint Committee on the Environment, Heritage and Local Government reference was made to what I would refer to as the management dispute that is ongoing between Cork City Council and the ESB in regard to the discharge of water near Cork on 19 November 2008. A conflict has arisen as to how information was communicated between those two agencies.
The Deputy is reaching beyond the question.
What further consideration will the Minister give to the issue of flood risk management on all rivers, including the Shannon, on which dams have been built?
On Deputy Tuffy's question, as I said in my reply, my Department has funded project offices in each of the seven river basin districts, one of which will deal with the Shannon river basin district management plan. That will span the administrative boundaries of counties Limerick, Clare, north Tipperary, Offaly, Westmeath, Longford and Roscommon as well as significant portions of counties Kerry, Galway, Leitrim and Cavan. Other counties with smaller portions of the district include Sligo, south Tipperary, Mayo, Cork, Laois and Meath, while all of Limerick city is located within the district. We have allocated funding in excess of €8 million to support the development of the plan, which includes research, consultancy work and funding for the river basin district office to which I referred. This is where our focus ought to be.
Regarding Deputy Lynch's question on flood risk management, that is primarily a matter for my colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Mansergh, who has responsibility for the OPW. I suggest that it would make sense for the Oireachtas Committee on the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to invite the Minister of State to a meeting so that these issues can be teased out in detail.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
