I propose to take Questions Nos. 193 and 194 together.
The Kildare Town Sewerage Scheme is approved for construction in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2005-2007. While Kildare County Council has submitted contract documents for the upgrading of the sewage collection network, my Department needs to complete its appraisal of the scheme as a whole before authorising invitation of tenders by the Council for all or part of the scheme. This is necessary to ensure that the different elements of the scheme are compatible in scale and scope and that, when built, they will meet the overall objectives of the project.
My Department currently awaits a Preliminary Report and Public Private Partnership Applicability Report from the Council for the new wastewater treatment plant for Kildare Town. It is normal practice for local authorities to proceed with the pre-qualification of tenderers for a treatment plant contract when contract documents have been prepared and submitted to my Department for approval.