Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Obviously there has been a transfer of responsibility from local authorities to Irish Water, Uisce Éireann.

I am inclined to consider how we can implement the good ideas. There is no doubt but that we must move towards conserving water. It has been frustrating for those on the local authority to try to get measures included in the development plan, for example, setting out standards for new builds and so on. It is almost easier to put standards in place for new builds rather the retrofitting of older buildings.

Irish Water, Uisce Éireann will be responsible for water services. Have Mr. McCarton or Dr. Ó hÓgáin put their ideas to Irish Water? Irish Water, Uisce Éireann is far more likely to be the body setting the standards for the local authorities, which the authorities must implement. Have they made suggestion on the planning guidelines or areas that take the idea to the practical, or are they looking at issues from the engineering perspective?

I wish to raise question on the domestic installation in County Carlow, as shown in the chart provided. Am I correct that an additional tank has been installed for rainwater and that as well as plumbing from the mains there is also another plumbing system down through the house? Would the delegates have a prototype for this work? It will be essential to have an incentive scheme for the retrofitting, if it is to happen on a large scale.

Water quality is critical. If water is of a poor standard, it must be treated. Chemicals are used in water treatment plants. Sometimes people experience a reaction to some of the chemicals. I frequently hear complaints about the chemicals in the water, in cases when people are taking showers. Is it possible that rainwater could be of a higher standard than some of the water that has been treated with chemicals, which in some cases are fairly sinister? Treated water is heavily chlorinated and can be very unappetising. Water treatment can be managed well where there is treatment along a system as opposed to close to the outlet.

I presume the waste water and storm water go into the combined sewer system but that in new builds it may be possible to have storm water absorbed by a new system. The witnesses showed some examples of greenery absorbing storm water but there has been a difficulty with maintenance. I often wonder why we have green spaces, covered in weeds up to 4 ft high because nobody maintains the space beside a road, which obstructs vehicles. It would be useful if there was a type of greenery that would not cause that problem. One must consider solutions from a range of views and the management of green areas must be taken into account, especially with fewer people now being employed by local government.