John Bruton
Ceist:294 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the current position in relation to the augmentation of the sewerage facilities in Ratoath, County Meath. [20984/97]
Written Answers. - Water and Sewerage Schemes.
Ratoath will be served by the proposed Ashbourne sewerage scheme, contract documents for which have been submitted to my Department. I propose to include the scheme in the water and sewerage services investment programme for 1998.
Dan Neville
Ceist:295 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on the motion passed at Limerick County Council on 11 July 1997 that an amendment be made to the proposal to extend the Shannon estuary water supply scheme to facilitate the continuation of the use of water extracted from Bleach Lough to Pallaskenry and Kildimo. [20986/97]
While I am aware of the motion, the design of the scheme as submitted by the local authority, provides for a new source of water to serve Pallaskenry and Kildimo and my Department has not received any alternative proposals from the local authority. Phase 1 of the scheme, which will provide a 16 kilometre trunk main extension from Aughinish to Askeaton and Dromore Hill, was approved earlier this year and is under construction. Phase 2 is designed to provide a new reservoir at Dromore and new distribution mains for Kildimo and Pallaskenry but, having regard to the existing high level of commitments under the water and sewerage investment services programme, I cannot say when it may be possible to approve it.