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

My thanks to our three guests. This committee takes its responsibilities seriously when it comes to issues of water quality. The representatives from the EPA and the Department will know that we have spent considerable time scrutinising the important report on wastewater treatment, the risk arising from treatment plants and the risk on the private side which the agency publishes annually. When we look at this legislation, we are looking at it through not only the lens of trying to facilitate people to live in the communities into which they were born but also to keep focus on maintaining high-quality water systems. That is certainly my focus.

The challenge is to try to find a way of ensuring that, where in all other instances a planning applicant would otherwise get planning permission but for this issue, there is some way of solving this problem that does not in any way compromise the quality of our water system. That is the challenge that Deputy Martin Kenny set himself and it is what we are discussing today. I have three questions, one of each of our guests, that focus around this key challenge. If we can fix that, then we have a solution that meets the interests of everyone here, guests and members alike.

My first question is for Dr. Ryan. Deputy Martin Kenny made the case that it is possible to have a zero effect even if we have zero discharge. I am interested in hearing the EPA's view on that. To what extent is it possible? To what extent does natural technology, such as that incorporating reed and willow beds and as outlined by Deputy Martin Kenny and Mr. Gilhooly, allow us to move towards that? If we are not there 100%, can the EPA offer a view on how long it might take for such systems to achieve that?

I understand what Mr. Ó Coigligh stated but section 4(13)(b) empowers the Minister to make regulations for the purposes of the granting of these licences. Mr. Ó Coigligh said that this is a blunt instrument. Yet, even if the legislation were to pass, the ball would then fall into the court of the Department and Mr. Ó Coigligh, who is the lead person to advise the Minister on how to draft such regulations. I would never accuse Mr. Ó Coigligh of being blunt in his work with the Department so I imagine he could find a way to craft the regulations in such a way as to meet our legal obligations and protect water resources. Will Mr. Ó Coigligh respond to that? Surely regulations give the Minister a level of control and nuance for something important like this.

Mr. Ó Coigligh mentioned two new technologies that are coming onstream that should allow the possibility of this problem being overcome in dense soil areas. Can the witnesses tell me whether the two technologies would be much use in County Leitrim where a large section of the county has failed the percolation tests? Please tell us a little more about the other work done to develop technologies that would meet planning and water quality requirements.