I thank the Minister for taking this matter. On 10 June 1993 I raised in an Adjournment debate the problems faced by the people of Williamstown, County Galway. At that time they were frustrated and angry that 70 families had to contend with a bad domestic sewerage scheme, widespread pollution and nauseating smells. There were definite health hazards in the village. Recently the local doctor had an in-depth analysis carried out which showed that there is widespread and dangerous pollution in the village.
At that time Galway County Council, the Western Health Board and the Department of the Environment acknowledged the necessity to have a proper treatment plant installed and all the necessary land had been acquired by the county council. The new design plans encompassed two areas of the village that had originally been left out and a better outfall was identified.
Many Ministers for the Environment over the years met deputations on this matter and it appeared that on every occasion a favourable reply was given. I was told by the Minister on 10 June 1993 that in the case of Williamstown a preliminary report for a sewerage scheme to serve around 50 houses was approved in March 1987 at an estimated cost of £331,000. I was told that Galway County Council gave an updated estimate of £592,000 in April 1992. I was also informed that the contract documents for the scheme were submitted to the Department in September 1992. The Minister stated in his reply: "It is clear from the contract documents submitted that the county council has expanded the scope of the scheme to serve around an additional 15 premises and the route of the outfall sewer has been amended and extended". I was informed that these additions and amendments, which were not approved by the Department of the Environment, were being considered at that time.
The information emanating from the Department in June and July last year was that Galway County Council costings were out of order and that the new extensions and outfall points resulted in a cost that was unacceptable to the Minister. This could only have been a red herring because nobody in their mature minds could expect to install a sewerage scheme of this size for £500,000. The Department should not have been surprised given the extent of the scheme. All the communications by the people came to nought, and Williamstown is still without its sewerage scheme.
When the Department did not include this project in the 1994 Estimates a commitment was given to the people that it would be included — a new story emanated, that the real reason it was not to go ahead in 1994 was that Galway County Council did not give it priority. This is another red herring by the Minister and the Department. Galway County Council afforded this project the same high priority it has given over a number of years. It wants to see the Williamstown sewerage scheme constructed. If it did not, why would it keep updating the cost, as it did in April 1992? Why would it submit to the Department contract documents for the scheme in September 1992? This suggestion is disingenuous and I nail it on the head.
I want a straight answer — what priority is given to Williamstown sewerage scheme by the Department of the Environment? The Minister knows what is required, he knows the cost and the contract documents are in order. The time for talking is over. On behalf of the people of Williamstown. I ask the Minister to give me a straight answer to that question. I convey, on behalf of these people, their absolute disgust about the way they are being treated. They believe, as I do, that it is past time for the sewerage scheme to start. It is time for the Minister to get off the fence and state clearly the priority that his Department gives to Williamstown sewerage scheme. If the scheme is given the priority it should have — and which Galway County Council believes it should have — Williamstown will have its sewerage scheme shortly.