Dr. Michelle Minihan:

I am open to correction on the exact facts and Irish Water may be able to provide clarification later on. The plant returned to production yesterday evening, as I understand, under the proviso that the boil water notice would be put in place to protect public health. There is regular sampling at Leixlip and that sampling equipment or rig is required to run for 24 hours. That went on yesterday and that sample will be available today. We will get through approximately 13,000 l of water. That sample will need to go to the laboratory and results will be awaited.

Following the return to production of the plant, given the raw water turbidity and the fact that there was a lot of rainfall yesterday and on Saturday, there will be a period of time for the filters to return to normal operating conditions. In our engagement with Irish Water and the HSE, we have stated that we intend to audit that plant. We would see that the time to audit that plant is when it has returned to normal operating conditions. We will await confirmation from Irish Water and Fingal County Council as to when that will happen. Irish Water are better positioned to answer the question about when the sample results will be available.