Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 March 2014
118. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if an appropriate assessment will be carried out in Bonane, Kenmare, County Kerry before any further legal proceedings will be taken by Irish Water and Kerry County Council in respect of the abstraction of water from the River Sheen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12295/14]
View answerKenmare Water Supply Scheme – Water Treatment Plant – DBO (Design Build Operate) was included, as a Contract to Start, in my Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2013. The Kenmare Water Supply Scheme (Water Abstraction Proposal) Provisional Order 2011 was granted by An Bord Pleanála on 28 September 2011. This Order has been appealed to the Circuit Court by a number of parties and has come before the Circuit Court on a number of occasions. There was a hearing before the Circuit Court on 26th September 2013 and the Court issued its judgement on 24 February 2014 against Kerry County Council.
From 1 January 2014 Irish Water took responsibility for the delivery of water services capital infrastructure. It is currently preparing a Capital Investment Plan for 2014 – 2016 that will provide for the transition of projects included in the 2010 – 2013 Water Services Investment Programme. From 1 January 2014, the further progression of all water services capital projects is a matter for Irish Water. My Department has asked Irish Water to put in place specific arrangements to address the queries which public representatives may have in relation to matters pertaining to the operation of water services under the new utility. I understand that Irish Water has made contact with Oireachtas members to outline the arrangements for addressing such queries in a timely manner.
