Deputy Michael Ring has accused the Government of turning its back on the west of Ireland by delaying vital infrastructural projects. The Fine Gael spokesperson on community, rural, and Gaeltacht affairs, Deputy Michael Ring, said he was particularly frustrated over the inordinate delay in extending the Lough Mask Regional Water Supply Scheme from Srah to Westport.
Deputy Ring said he contacted Mayo County Council seeking the up-to-date information on the scheme but was told it was at contract award stage but cannot proceed to construction as the council cannot afford to pay the local contribution of €8.8 million — €6.2 million for Srah to Westport and €2.6 million for Westport to Louisburgh. Deputy Ring stated: “These extensions are urgently needed and have been needed for the last couple of years. This matter has been ongoing for years. In fact before the General Election in 2007 we were informed by candidates going forward for Fianna Fáil that the extensions would take place. Here we are two years down the road with no start-up date. It is most frustrating and totally unsatisfactory.”
