Maria Bailey (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Will Irish Water send us written replies on the questions of connecting and gas? I know it will be attending the committee later in the year on its planned programme of works.

I thank Ms Emma Kennedy for the time she has put into this report.

I am in favour of the Shannon project. I welcome the fact that over 800 km of pipes have been replaced over the past several years and over 1,000 km will be completed over the next four years. Even if we had a 100% replacement of pipes, as Deputy Casey said, it still would not solve the problem, however. As Senator Murnane O'Connor noted, we have to deal with the practicalities around it and we must have additional water supplies. With the adverse weather conditions we saw this year, I am concerned about the headroom space we have with our water supply. I know in the UK emergency headroom capacity is 10%. What is our headroom here?

I recognise there has been significant investment in infrastructure by Irish Water. There was a deficit in this area for several decades and it is now being addressed. We know water is underpinned in the national development plan and projected growth figures, both residential and commercial. If the population is to grow, we need a proper water infrastructure which is of an acceptable standard and will entice commercial enterprises to expand or locate here.

If there are questions the witnesses cannot answer, will they send them in a written reply to the clerk, who will relay them to the committee?