Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The phrase "under pressure from below" is not one I am particularly familiar with. I certainly believe the way to get things done is through engagement. That might be a difference in political ideology. It is important to engage on these matters. The Deputy is a directly elected Member of this House. He is doing his job in engaging on behalf of his constituents. He corresponded with me on this and I have signed a letter to him today on it. He has raised the issue in the Dáil and I am engaging with Uisce Éireann on it.

I very much welcome the fact that Uisce Éireann has established a task force. It is an indication of the seriousness with which Irish Water is rightly taking the issues being experienced by some of the Deputy's constituents and people in Cork regarding water quality. It also very much highlights an issue we have been trying to highlight for a very long time, namely the need for decent investment plans for water and water quality in this country. We have had those debates in the House previously. I will come back to the Deputy on the emergency works as I need to get an update from Uisce Éireann in order to provide him with factual information on that matter.

Let there be no doubt that the Government is very committed to addressing these issues, to continuing to invest in the water supply and water treatment and to supporting the work of Uisce Éireann. We will not be found wanting in assisting Uisce Éireann as the task force carries out its work. There are practical things it is doing, some of which I outlined, that I hope will reassure the Deputy's constituents that this a matter is being taken extraordinarily seriously.

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