Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I certainly get the sense from the engagements we have had of this nature over recent years that there is far greater co-ordination between the different bodies.

I want to acknowledge that.

I want to go back to the appendices in the EPA's 2017 report. There has been a significant improvement in terms of urban wastewater treatment directive non-compliant locations, as can be seen in the figures. However, the rate of improvement in other areas is far slower. Appendix A, which deals with the priority areas, shows a reduction from 148 to 132 locations, which is close to a 10% improvement. On the areas discharging wastewater, again, there is a reduction from 44 to 38, so it is about a 14% improvement. On the pressured water bodies, there is a reduction from 59 to 57. I can fully understand why, on foot of a European Court of Justice decision, the priority would go into tackling those areas. My worry, however, concerns all the other areas, given the EPA is year after year raising this significant number of cases. I share the concern Dr. Tom Ryan diplomatically put in his commentary that the speed of improvement in those other areas is clearly much slower than for those that are in breach of the urban wastewater treatment directive. I acknowledge we are dealing with data from 2017 and it is now 2019. When we get the EPA report for 2018, there will be much greater improvements in those three or four appendices that will evidence the increased investment and increased co-ordination between the various players. If I am not reading the report right, the witnesses might let me know.

Mr. Ó Coigligh mentioned new infringement proceedings. He might provide some information about the current position on those proceedings.

On a question for Mr. Gallen, we have had plenty of debates about the so-called charge for wasteful usage. One of the concerns is the cost of repairs, given the figure of 7% of households is clear. However, we do not know whether they are using that water or whether the water is leaking as a result of the properties being older, or whether, even if the householders get plenty of notice, they will have the financial capacity to upgrade their own systems. In Irish Water's conversations with the Department and the Government, is there mention of how to enhance assistance for households that simply will not be able to cover the cost? I am thinking in particular of rural Ireland, older people and families that could be asset rich but income poor. This would ensure that nobody would be charged for something they are not using, which could be as a result of lack of ability to pay the cost of repairs.