andMr. McAuliffe asked the Minister for Local Government the date on which proposals for Creggane-Gortmore water supply scheme. County Cork were received in his Department; and when he expects that work on the scheme will commence.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Water and Sewerage Schemes.
13.
Preliminary proposals for Creggane-Gortmore water supply scheme were received in my Department on 12th November, 1965. I expect to be in a position to give a decision regarding the scheme shortly.
14.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he is now in a position to state if he will sanction the proposal of Kerry County Council for the Inch-Filedown water supply scheme which has been with his Department for the past two years.
There is no proposal by Kerry County Council for a water supply for this area. It is therefore assumed that the Deputy is referring to the Inch-Filedown group water supply scheme, the design for which was received last month. The approval of Kerry County Council to this design is now being sought.
15.
asked the Minister for Local Government when application was made for a water and sewerage scheme for the residents of Oola, County Limerick; if a compulsory purchase order was recommended by Limerick County Council; if so, what action he took in regard to it; and if he will make available the report of the inquiry which was held into this matter.
Contract documents for the Oola water supply and sewerage schemes were submitted to my Department on 28th April, 1965 and 10th July, 1965, respectively. Revised contract documents for the sewerage scheme were submitted on 22nd October, 1965.
On 1st September, 1966, Limerick County Council submitted for confirmation a compulsory purchase order for the acquisition of a site at Oola Hills for a reservoir in connection with the water supply scheme. The owner of the lands objected to the order and a public local inquiry was held on 15th February, 1967. Having considered the objection, the evidence given at the inquiry and the report of the inspector who held the inquiry, I decided on 22nd May, 1967, that the order should not be confirmed. It is not the practice to make public the reports of inspectors who hold inquiries in relation to compulsory purchase orders.
I understand that the council are negotiating for the acquisition of an alternative site for the reservoir.
Is the Minister aware that there are 460 people involved and that one man can hold this scheme up to ransom? An inspector was sent down to hold an inquiry; nobody knows what happened at the inquiry but, as a result of the Minister's decision now, contrary to the advice given by Limerick County Council, he is depriving 460 people of a water supply?
One factor was that the amount of compensation in this case would almost certainly be regarded as excessive by the council. There is at least one suitable alternative site available which it is understood can be obtained.
Is the Minister aware that within the past 24 hours agreement has been reached between Limerick County Council and the owner of the site concerned?
The alternative site?
The original site; the person on whose land the site was chosen, who objected, has now agreed. In fact an agreement was signed yesterday between the landowner, Mr. Hickey, and Limerick County Council, following the intervention of a local councillor, Mr. David Dillon.
I am not so aware.
16.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he is now in a position to state if he will sanction the proposal of Kerry County Council for a sewerage scheme at Gortmullan, Kenmare, County Kerry.
I hope to be in a position to give a decision on this scheme shortly.