Sinn Féin Finance Spokesperson Deputy Pearse Doherty has welcomed confirmation from Irish Water that it has begun to invite local residents to participate in a demonstration project as part of the development of the long awaited Gaoth Dobhair Sewerage Scheme.
Deputy Doherty, who led the successful campaign to have the scheme introduced, was commenting following the utilities announcement this week that installation of the demonstration system is expected to commence over the next eight to twelve months, serving between 20 to 30 properties in the Gaoth Dobhair area.
Deputy Doherty said: “I very much welcome this statement from Irish Water that the company is now officially inviting local property owners to participate in the demonstration project for the Gaoth Dobhair Sewerage Scheme.
“The news, which comes following the recent briefing sessions provided to local representatives as well as engagement and consultation with local residents and businesses, means that the community will soon get the chance to see how the scheme will work in practice and how it should operate once the scheme is fully installed, which is expected to happen in 2019.
“Irish Water has informed me that it has issued letters to a number of properties located within the identified demonstration area inviting residents to participate in the trial.
“The company says that it hopes to begin to install the demonstration units and connect the participating properties towards the end of this year.
“Obviously, I am happy that the scheme has developed to get to this point, and I very much look forward to seeing for myself the system in operation and how it will help to ensure that this area has a fit-for-purpose waste water collection system, and one which hopefully will meet the needs of the local area and its residents.
“As everyone is aware, this scheme never would have gotten to this point hadn’t it had been for the intervention of Sinn Féin and the submission compiled by my colleague MEP Matt Carthy and I to the European Commission in 2015 in which we successfully convinced the Commission that the state was in violation of its duties under the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive.
“While it’s disappointing and shameful that it took such action in order to get the Government and authorities here to work to develop this scheme, I am happy that we will shortly see the first bit of work take place with the installation of these demonstration units.
“I also must pay tribute to the local community here in Gaoth Dobhair who have been so patient throughout this entire episode, and who have been extremely co-operative with the authorities throughout the consultation process which has been on-going over recent months as part of efforts to progress and develop this long awaited scheme.”
Tags: