I thank you, a Cheann Comhairle, and the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Deputy Browne, for coming in to deal with this matter. It is in rather poignant circumstances we debate this subject this evening. I have just returned from the funeral of one of the prime movers of the project, the treasurer of the committee responsible, the late Mrs. Margaret Tully, mother of four young children, who died suddenly yesterday morning. I am sure it is appropriate in this House to offer sympathy to her husband and young family. She was a marvellous person and it would be a great reward for her efforts if the Minister had some good news for us this evening.
The swimming pool in Cavan was first mooted 15 years ago and a committee was formed. Like all good Cavan people, they were not going to depend on the State but set about fund raising. To date they have the commendable sum of £300,000 to put towards this project. A site is available and all that remains is for the Minister to give sanction. Tenders were submitted to his Department as early as last February but to date there has been a deafening silence. That is not good enoough.
Our case is based on the fact that Cavan is the only county without an indoor swimming pool, despite the fact that it is an inland county. Many other counties with these facilities are beside the sea. We do not have that facility but we are renowned for lakes and rivers. Marvellous work has been done by many local committees in teaching children to swim in our lakes and rivers. This is slightly dangerous but it is well supervised. Many children are taken by teachers and others to adjoining counties for swimming instruction. If this facility was in Cavan it would be availed of.
I can give the Minister of State categorical assurance that there would be no further cost to the State in relation to its upkeep because the project would pay for itself if properly constructed. At this stage we will not accept a tank filled with water in a hole in the ground. We need all the ancillary services that people expect when they go swimming. The parents accompanying the children should be able to sit in a seated area and enjoy a cup of coffee or a mineral. Those are simple facilities but they will be at a cost. It must be a place to which people are attracted.
We met the former Minister for the Environment, Mr. Flynn, over two years ago when he gave a categoric assurance that we were next in line for a swimming pool when the refurbishing of pools built by the State, which had fallen into dilapidation, had been completed. It is not good enough that a county or a community provided with a pool should allow it to fall into disrepair and that we should have to await our turn until it was refurbished. We understood the Minister's position that for the sake of the safety of the children using them they had to be refurbished. That project is now completed. It is not fair that the people of Cavan should have to wait any longer.
The Minister is being given an assurance by a committee who have shown their commitment and interest by collecting a substantial amount of money. He has my assurance regarding its usage. If the Minister takes this project on board, a contractor can start work immediately, jobs would be created and an important facility would be provided for Cavan — the only county without such a facility. I look forward to a positive response.