asked the Minister for the Environment the up-to-date position in relation to the proposed water extraction by Carlow County Council from the River Slaney at Rathvilly.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - River Slaney Water Extraction.
9.
Contract documents for stage 1 of North Carlow Regional Water Supply Scheme which incorporates the construction of intake works at Rathvilly, are under consideration in my Department. The approval of contract documents must be considered in the context of the number of water and sewerage schemes currently in progress and getting to construction at the present time, for which adequate finance must be provided. I regret that I am not in a position to say when I may convey a decision on the proposal for stage 1 of the North Carlow regional water scheme to the county council.
My question related more especially to Enniscorthy. Is the Minister aware that for the first time in the history of the State, Enniscorthy Urban District Council brought a legal action in the Circuit Court against Carlow County Council to prohibit this because of the inherent danger to the River Slaney which obviously provides a massive water usage for County Wexford? He has made no reference to this and I would have thought that in any question about the up-to-date position regarding this massive water extraction from the River Slaney there would be some reference to it in his replay.
I am answering the question as the Deputy asked it but if he puts down a separate question in regard to that I will be glad to give him all the necessary, up-to-date information.
Would the Minister give the up-to-date position about the water extraction by Carlow County Council from the River Slaney?
It is number one on the priority list in Carlow so the Deputy will be very glad to know that.
I want it stopped.
The Deputy wants it stopped?
Yes, for the simple reason that there is not sufficient water in the Slaney to provide for this and it will present a danger to Enniscorthy.
What will Deputy Governey say to that?
That is a matter for Deputy Governey. Would the Minister look at this matter again because when two local authorities are involved with the Circuit Court it should be referred to in the answer. I would ask him to notify Enniscorthy Urban District Council of the up-to-date position regarding their legal action to prohibit this water extraction. I have been getting inaccurate responses from the Minister.
The Deputy accused me of inaccuracies——
I accuse the Department.
The Deputy is accusing officials who are not in a position to defend themselves. I answered the question the Deputy put down. The Deputy does not want me to go ahead with the Carlow regional water scheme. He cannot have it both ways. What way does the Deputy want it?
(Interruptions.)
(Cavan-Monaghan): Is the Minister satisfied that the taking of a supply of water for Carlow at Rathvilly will not leave any existing supplies in County Wexford short of water?
I do not see why it should. I think you should have a conference among you over there to see what you want. You must decide what you want, whether you want one in Wexford and whether you want or do not want one in Carlow.
A final supplementary from Deputy Fitzpatrick.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Might I ask the Minister if when permission was given to take water at Rathvilly for Carlow consideration was given to the possibility of it interfering with the water supply elsewhere?
It will have no effect in County Wexford at all. I can assure the Deputy on that.