asked the Minister for Local Government the capital allocation and capital availed of by each local authority during the current year and the five preceding years in respect of water and sewerage.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Water and Sewerage Schemes.
47.
The information sought is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
48.
asked the Minister for Local Government when he expects to be in a position to sanction the proposed water extension to Bishoplane, Ballymore Eustace, County Kildare.
Contract documents for this scheme are under examination in my Department and I hope to be in a position to issue a decision shortly.
49.
asked the Minister for Local Government when he expects to be in a position to sanction the water scheme for Newtown, Rathangan, County Kildare.
No proposals for this scheme are before my Department.
Question No. 50 postponed.
51.
asked the Minister for Local Government what plans have been prepared by the local authorities in the greater Dublin area for the modernisation of the sewage disposal plants; and when these proposals are likely to be put into effect.
Major schemes which provide for an extension and improvement of the treatment works at the Pigeon House Road, Ringsend, and new outfall works at Dún Laoghaire are at an advanced stage of planning. In addition, schemes are in planning by the local authority to provide new treatment works or to improve the existing works at Shanganagh, Swords, Portrane/Donabate, Malahide and Rush. While I am not in a position to say when these schemes are likely to be completed, I can assure the Deputy that they are being advanced to construction stage as quickly as possible.
52.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware of the urgent need for the provision of sewerage facilities at Ballina Quay, Ballina, County Mayo; and the up-to-date position regarding this proposed scheme.
I approved the contract documents for this scheme on the 10th June, 1970. I understand that the Department of Transport and Power have under consideration at present the local authority's application for a foreshore licence in respect of the outfall works for this scheme.
Did the Minister say June, 1970?
Yes.
Is the Minister aware that a number of protest meetings have been held in the school at Ballina Quay, at which Fianna Fáil Councillor, Seán Calleary, son of the former Deputy, was present. Every attempt has been made by the protest committee to have something done about this matter. Sewage is being dumped on a large scale and protests have been made to the Department of Transport and Power. Would the Minister not think it worthwhile to get in touch with the Department with a view to making representations to allow this scheme to go ahead forthwith? It is a source of embarrassment to Councillor Seán Calleary, who lives in that area. I had a communication from him during the week——
This is a long question.
This case has a long history.
Every effort has been made to expedite a decision in this case. The Deputy must be reasonable. As I have said, the contract documents—the estimated cost of the scheme being £17,400—were approved in June and a loan application to finance this scheme was submitted on 30th October. The scheme is held up pending receipt of the tender for approval and the other question that has since cropped up in relation to the foreshore licences which the local authority were seeking to enable them to establish a point in regard to the outfall of effluent from the sewer. The fisheries division of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries had to be consulted; Bord Fáilte and all of these bodies were asked for their views on the question of the outfall. A final decision cannot be made until these views are available. We have expressed our anxiety to get the information from these bodies and thus be in a position to make a decision on the matter as quickly as possible.
Does the Minister not appreciate that a number of new dwellings have been erected along this road and that Councillor Seán Calleary's house is one of them? The locals cannot understand why a Fianna Fáil councillor, whose father was a Member of this House for many years, cannot get a small matter like this carried out.
I would be very anxious to facilitate Councillor Seán Calleary.
Question No. 53.