Progress on sewerage schemes

PLANS for a number of sewerage schemes around the county were outlined at the November meeting of Clare County Council, while Councillor James Breen was the target for some jibes about his years in Dáil Éireann.
Councillor Breen put forward a motion asking the council for a report outlining what sewerage schemes are awaiting approval, and if there is a priority list.
In a written reply, director of services, David Timlin, stated that work is practically complete at Scariff and Feakle, where plants are receiving and treating wastewater. At Quilty, he stated that work will be complete before the end of the month. He also said plants had been completed in Corofin, Tulla and Newmarket.
He stated that the 2010-2012 Water Services Investment Programme (WSIP) would include the Ennis-Clarecastle sewerage scheme, the Shannon sewerage scheme and the Kilrush and Kilkee sewerage scheme, all of which are to be advanced through planning, with a view to construction after 2012.
In the report, Mr Timlin added, “In the case of Ennis-Clarecastle, the existing Clonroadmore treatment plant will be upgraded in 2011, as the first stage of a phased approach to providing additional wastewater treatment capacity for the area.
“In addition, an upgrade of Quin treatment plant is currently being planned, funded from the council’s own resources, and it is expected construction of this will commence in mid to late-2011.
“The Government proposes, in early to mid-2011, to carry out a review of the 2010-2012 WSIP. The council will at that stage have an opportunity to present a case for additional projects to be added to the list on grounds of environmental need.”
Councillor Breen was critical of the amount of delays to the Ennis-Clarecastle scheme. “This water treatment plant is going on nearly as long as I’ve been in Clare County Council and the Department of Environment has turned its back on us.”
He said money was wasted on unnecessary studies, which he described as “a waste of taxpayer’s money”.
Councillor Breen had been critical of wasteful Government spending, but Councillor PJ Kelly claimed he had benefited from generous payments during his time as a TD. “Councillor Breen collected well over €1 million in wages and expenses in his time in the Oireachtas. He got there on the strength of widening Inch bridge,” he commented.
Councillor Breen said that he wouldn’t respond to what he called “cynical or dirty comments”. He said he was “very, very proud” of his time in the Dáil and that he was likely to put himself before the people again.