asked the Minister for the Environment the present position regarding the proposed erection of a pump-house and outfall piping for Galway main drainage at South Park in Galway city; and whether he has now decided the scheme will include treatment of effluent prior to discharge.

As a result of representations made to me by local representatives and residents regarding this scheme I agreed that the corporation could have time to re-examine their original proposals without losing the capital for the scheme. A revised preliminary report which has been received from the local authority proposes that the pumping station be relocated on Mutton Island and that a causeway be built to service the station. The report does not contain a proposal to change the effluent treatment arrangement from that in the original design. The revised proposals are under examination in my Department.

Will the Minister agree that the revised proposals have been under consideration in his Department for some time? The question refers solely to the inclusion of a plant for the treatment of effluent prior to discharge. When will we get a decision from the Minister as to whether he will require the local authority to design this scheme to include treatment of effluent prior to discharge?

We have examined the problem and we want to be as helpful as possible. This is a major scheme. The additional cost as a result of the relocation of the pumping station and the building of a causeway is estimated at £1.75 million. That factor must be carefully considered. The estimated cost of the pumping station at South Park is £2.85 million and the estimated cost of a pumping station located at Mutton Island is £4.6 million. Under this new proposal a number of additional points must be examined before it can be decided upon. The building of the causeway could interfere with the existing tidal flows and have implications for the shipping channel, or the causeway could be designed to minimise any adverse effect. Hydrographic and sediment transportation studies will be necessary and this will take six months or more. A foreshore licence will be required for the construction of the cause-way and the original mechanical and electrical plant which has been constructed may be of minimal use and could end up being totally unsuitable. I am sure the Deputy will understand that these are major questions that must be considered.

Will the Minister tell the House whether he is going to allow the sewage from the Galway city greater area to be discharged into Galway Bay without being treated prior to discharge? Galway city is a tourist resort and there are many beaches in the vicinity which attract many visitors. Tourism is a big revenue earner for the community and gives a great deal of employment. This could constitute a serious threat to the quality of the water in inner Galway Bay, which is shallow, which has a circular tidal motion and which does not scour itself except once in every 40 or 50 days. Because of all of the factors which have already been brought to light the public in Galway are expecting the Minister to insist that this new sewerage scheme will be modern, efficient and guarantee a continuation of the excellent, clean qualities of Galway Bay for future generations which can be done only through the inclusion of adequate treatment of this massive quantity of sewage which is discharged at one point into the bay.

I would hope that the Deputy would accept that when I agreed to the corporation having another look at that, as a result of the representations of the Deputy and others in this House, and having agreed to a request to visit the site some time ago, we asked them to provide us with new proposals. These proposals would be much more costly. It will take some time for my Department to consider them and the extra allocations needed to be made available in order to carry out such work.

Is the Minister giving consideration also to whether or not a treatment plant will be included?

When expert opinion is given to me on the question of whether it is required or not, then I shall have to make a decision on that aspect of the scheme.

Have the Minister's Department consulted with the Minister for Fisheries? Is the Minister aware that the Minister for Fisheries stated in this House that he would object to these sewage waters being discharged into Galway Bay without being treated, that they would have a serious effect on the shell fish industry, the oyster industry in particular, which is at present being developed in that area by his Department? Furthermore is the Minister aware that the Shell Fish Control Area Order of 1951 includes the areas into which he now proposes to discharge all of this sewage?

Officials from both Departments have had discussions regarding the question of designation of certain areas to mariculture. It was agreed that before any firm decision would be taken to designate any specific area discussions would take place and that the views of this Department and those of local authorities would be given every consideration. These discussions are on-going and a further meeting is expected to be held shortly.

That is, with the Department of Fisheries?

Yes.