asked the Minister for Local Government if the local authorities in the greater Dublin area have any plans on hand to modernise and make more efficient the system for the disposal of sewage and deleterious effluents.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Sewage Disposal.
28.
A major scheme for the extension and improvement of the treatment works at the Pigeon House Road, Ringsend, is being planned jointly by the Dublin Corporation and Dublin County Council. These works, together with other works proposed to be constructed by Dún Laoghaire Corporation and Dublin County Council, will ensure that domestic sewage and other effluents being disposed of through sewers in the Dublin area are treated to an acceptable standard.
When will the work on Pigeon House commence? Will it be two or three years?
I do not know; it has not been fully designed yet.
When I put this proposal to the corporation over a year ago and when they accepted it they then said that work would start early this year. Is the Minister's Department holding it up?
The Deputy was never on the corporation. On the 16th June, 1969, I approved the appointment of consulting engineers for the design of this work and until they produce the plans this cannot be constructed. The Deputy's name does not appear in this matter at all.
I put this suggestion to Dublin Corporation and when they accepted it they said work would start early this year. I am wondering how long it took the Minister to approve the appointment of the consulting engineers. Could that be where the delay occurred?
The Deputy should put down a separate question.
I might well do that.
Is the Minister aware that all the new plans which he now proposes for sewerage are for the south side? There are no proposals for sewerage on the north side?
That is not correct. I do not propose these at all; the local authority does so.