Trevor Sargent
Ceist:205 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment if he intends to upgrade sewage treatment infrastructure throughout Ireland as recommended by the National Committee on Biology. [24687/96]
Written Answers. - Water and Sewerage Schemes.
My Department, in conjunction with local authorities, is continuing to implement a major programme of capital investment on upgrading sewage treatment facilities so as to meet the requirements of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive. The level of expenditure involved is in line with that suggested at the National Committee for Biology seminar last March.
Trevor Sargent
Ceist:206 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment if he intends to upgrade to tertiary standard the sewage treatment plants of the towns of Nenagh and Roscrea, County Tipperary, Tullamore and Birr, County Offaly, Moate and Athlone, County Westmeath and Ballinasloe and Portumna, County Galway, which release sewage into Lough Derg. [24692/96]
Trevor Sargent
Ceist:207 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment if he intends to have phosphate removal facilities provided at the sewage treatment plants of the towns Nenagh and Roscrea, County Tipperary, Tullamore and Birr, County Offaly, Moate and Athlone, County Westmeath and Ballinasloe and Portumna, County Galway, which release sewage into Lough Derg, the cost of which, according to the Environmental Protection Agency Report of 1993, would be £3 million and would result in a 90 per cent reduction to phosphorus emissions to the lake. [24693/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 206 and 207 together. Under stage 1 of the Lough Derg Catchment Protection Scheme, phosphorus removal facilities are being provided at all of the eight locations referred to. Having regard to the large dilutions available in receiving waters locally, secondary treatment together with phosphorus removal is considered appropriate at all locations except Moate where treatment to tertiary standard is being provided.