Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. The matter I wish to raise concerns the need for the Minister for the Environment and Local Government to approve the application of Westmeath County Council for an extension to the Killucan-Rathwire and Rochfortbridge sewerage schemes. The schemes are in two different locations. The villages of Killucan and Rathwire are almost connected but they have separate identities. A sewerage scheme was installed in Killucan and Rathwire in the 1980s to cater for 600 people. Given the enormous development which has taken place, especially in Rathwire, the sewage treatment plant reached capacity two years ago at least and it is necessary to increase its capacity. Perhaps the Minister will consider this matter favourably. I am very au fait with the area because Rathwire is the village where I went to school. Many members of my late brother's family still live there, one of whom is in business in the village.
Westmeath County Council has applied for an increase in the capacity of the scheme to cater for a population of 2,000. The scheme was originally designed for a population of 600 and that was reached two years ago at least. I would not like to regard Rochfortbridge as a village because it is a small town which has seen extensive development and is on the main N6 thoroughfare. A number of developers, some local, are encountering great difficulty in obtaining planning permission from Westmeath County Council because the sewerage plant has reached capacity.
I know the Department has indicated in all such situations that funding could be forthcoming under the serviced land initiative scheme and that perhaps that is the way forward in this regard. I do not suggest that is unacceptable to the councillors from the Kilbeggan electoral area in which Rochfortbridge is located, but I would be grateful if the Minister and the Department of the Environment and Local Government could see their way to funding an extension to both sewerage schemes. I have made the case and I appeal to the Minister present to be as positive as he can in response.