asked the Minister for the Environment if, in view of the serious position in relation to Midleton, County Cork, he will now sanction the new sewerage scheme there and arrange for the provision of a treatment plant if it should be required subsequently.

One of the difficulties in proceeding with the scheme as planned has been the decision of Cork County Council not to proceed with it unless it incorporates a treatment plant, which would greatly increase the cost and impose a very heavy financial burden on Midleton UDC. In a letter of 1 May 1981 from Cork County Council the suggestion has been made that it may be possible to resolve the impasse by an arrangement whereby the scheme as planned would proceed on an undertaking being given that its operation would be monitored and that if the effluent came to exceed an accepted level, a treatment plant would be provided.

This is being examined, but I must await the advice of other Departments. The Department of Fisheries and Forestry have been asked for their views as to any likely adverse effect of the proposed scheme and the Department of Health is being consulted about the possible effects of the proposed scheme on the quality of oysters taken from the local oyster beds. There is also an application to the Department of Transport for a foreshore licence for the proposed discharge of sewage at Rathcoursey Point.

Is the Minister saying that Cork County Council will not agree to the scheme proceeding unless there is a treatment plant provided?

Yes, that is the position.

Did I understand the Minister to say that the problem which was causing the delay was that the county council wanted to install a treatment plant with the sewerage scheme?

Midleton Urban Council feel that this is not necessary and that this would impose too much of a financial burden on them.

Is it the Minister for the Environment who sanctions the proposals put forward? Will the Minister give his opinion as to whether a treatment plant is necessary? Is the Minister prepared to sanction a plant that will spew raw sewage into Cork Harbour?

This matter is being investigated at present. All details are being looked at closely.

At the outfall end?

If the scheme goes ahead without the requirement that Cork County Council are seeking, there is no reason why it cannot be provided afterwards, if there is a need for it.

Is the Minister saying that he would consider sanctioning a scheme, even temporarily, that would have the effect of releasing raw untreated sewage into Cork Harbour? Is the Minister suggesting that?

I have said that if the situation that is feared by Cork County Council materialised steps could be taken to remedy it.

Next question.

Does the Minister agree that it has been the aim of most local government departments throughout the world to provide treatment plants in connection with every sewerage scheme? Surely it is a reversal on the part of his Department for him to be considering the suggestion of installing a sewerage scheme without treatment facilities?

Nobody has said that is so.

The Minister is proposing to pollute Cork Harbour.

I did not say that. In my reply I outlined the different proposals that exist and I do not take it from the reply I read out that there is any question of discharging raw sewage into Cork Harbour.

The Minister should move on to Question No. 24.

What number of people are being served by this scheme?

Ceist 24.

24.