Vol. 501 No. 4
62 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the decision of the four Dublin local authorities to ration water supply in the Dublin area for the next four months; if he has satisfied himself with the adequacy and efficiency of water supply in Dublin; the plans, if any, he has to establish a single water authority for the greater Dublin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6158/99]
On foot of the strategy set out in the greater Dublin water strategic study a major investment programme has been put in place to ensure that the needs of the expanding Dublin area can be met. The programme consists of the expansion of the Leixlip water treatment works, a major water conservation programme and a number of other projects to upgrade and refurbish treatment works, reservoirs and the distribution system. The expansion of the Leixlip works will add significant extra capacity to Dublin's water supply from next June onwards but will result in supply disruptions in certain areas in the meantime as part of the process of bringing it on line. Consumers are being kept aware of the position through notices in the media.
I have no plans to establish a new single water authority for the greater Dublin area. However, there is already in existence a water management team for the greater Dublin area which is chaired by Dublin Corporation and includes all the other Dublin authorities as well as Kildare and Wicklow County Councils. The management team meets on a monthly basis to co-ordinate planning and activities in relation to water supplies, but it has been meeting weekly since planning began for bringing into operation the current measures to expand the supply. Furthermore, the implementation of major projects, such as the current conservation project, is overseen by steering groups which include all the relevant local authorities and my Department.
