75 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government when he will give approval for the provision of the south west drainage scheme in Dundalk; and if he has all the necessary documentation from Louth County Council to make this decision. [11804/99]

76 Mr. McGahon asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government when he will give approval for the provision of the south west drainage scheme in Dundalk; and if he has all the necessary documentation from Louth County Council to make this decision. [11805/99]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 75 and 76 together.

Louth County Council has submitted an outline proposal to my Department to connect the south west area of Dundalk to the Dundalk sewerage scheme on which construction is in progress. As indicated in the public announcement of my Department's water services investment programme 1999, this project is under consideration for advancement as a public-private partnership project.