347 Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the potential overall costs of the monster waste water treatment plant proposed for north County Dublin; if no accurate figures are available, if he will evaluate the potential overall costs before proceeding any further with the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35599/11]

There is no firm estimate of cost for the Greater Dublin Regional Drainage Project — North Dublin Wastewater Treatment Plant and Orbital Sewer, being planned by Fingal County Council but my Department understands from the local authority that the entire scheme is not expected to cost more than €500m. A firmer estimate of cost will be available when the Preliminary Report for the scheme is completed and the locations of all three elements of the project are confirmed, along with the technology that will be used at the wastewater treatment works. Fingal County Council, as contracting authority, will be required to demonstrate that the optimum solution is proposed, from both an environmental and economic perspective, and that it has been subjected to cost-effectiveness analysis.