Independent Councillor Michael Holmes has blamed the Department of the Environment for holding up the commencement of the Achill Sewerage Scheme because of its failure to repay €9 million to Mayo County Council.
Under the Polluter Pays Policy, Mayo County Council must contribute in excess of €2.2 million towards Achill's sewerage scheme. However the Department currently owes Mayo County Council more than €9 million in refundable levies, money which the Department has yet failed to repay despite meetings with the Minister on the matter.
According to Cllr Holmes, the commencement of a number of sewerage schemes, including Achill and Kiltimagh, depends on the prompt repayment of these levies. “We met with Minister John Gormley before Christmas to discuss the situation, and he gave us a commitment that the matter would be dealt with immediately. However, we still have not received that money. The Achill Sewerage Scheme is ready to commence. Contracts have been signed and everything is all set to go. However, it is infeasible to expect the county manager to sign off on a €2.2 million levy when the Government is holding back the €9 million it owes the council in refundable levies.”
Cllr Holmes went on to highlight the urgent need for a sewerage scheme in Achill. “We have been waiting over 30 years for this. The lack of an adequate sewerage scheme is completely stifling any development in the area. It is incredible that in 2009, in one of the most beautiful parts of the country, raw sewerage is being pumped straight into the tide. It is even more staggering to think that the reason for this is because funding is being held up by a Green Party Minister.”
Cllr Holmes concluded by saying that he would be calling on all Fianna Fáil TDs and councillors in Mayo to put pressure on the Government to release this money to the council. “We need to ensure that this issue is resolved immediately. We simply cannot afford to delay Achill's Sewerage Scheme any longer.”
