THE decision to locate the Galway sewage treatment plant in Mutton Island was defended by the Minister for the Environment.
"I remain convinced that, from an environmental point of view, Mutton Island is the best site. However, I have always been open to suggestions for minimising the visual impact of the current proposal and I am, at present, examining possibilities in this respect," Mr Howlin said.
Mr Noel Ahern (FF, Dublin North West) said he understood the EU Commission was of the view that it should be moved and was prepared to pay the additional cost of siting it elsewhere. Was the Minister not disposed to taking up the offer?
Mr Howlin said he had put all the correspondence between the Department and the Commission relating to the issue in the library of the House. "I had no recent correspondence on this matter."