My Department has approved proposals for the provision of major sewage treatment plants at Ringsend, Dublin, and Osberstown, County Kildare, by way of design and build. In the case of Ringsend, Dublin Corporation is investigating the feasibility of introducing an operate option. It is also open to Kildare County Council to consider a similar option for Osberstown. In general, it is a matter for the relevant local authorities to examine the feasibility of a design, build and operate approach in the case of major proposed treatment plants. The private ownership of sewage treatment plants is not, however, in accordance with current policy.