55 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment if he will include the west Waterford water supply scheme in his capital programme to allow moneys to be spent on this scheme in 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5007/97]

In view of the size and cost of Waterford County Council's initial proposals for a water supply scheme to serve west Waterford, my Department requested the council to review the scope of the project and to prepare a feasibility report indicating the areas of highest priority. Proposals to appoint a consultant to prepare this report have recently been submitted to my Department and are under consideration. The question of including the scheme in the 1997 work programme does not therefore arise at this stage.