Dr. Tom Ryan:

I thank Senator Boyhan for his questions. On what legal action we have taken against Irish Water in regard to the Leixlip plant and the current incident, our primary focus is that the plant is back in operation and producing safe drinking water. This is where all our focus and attention is at the moment. This is evidenced by us auditing the plant, issuing our report, issuing the recommendations and working with the stakeholders to ensure that the boil water notice could be appropriately lifted. There has not been a specific legal enforcement measure taken against the plant in regard to the incident. We would have to give careful consideration to whether that is appropriate or if we have the powers to do that. As I said, our primary focus is to ensure that the plant is back in operation and producing safe water for consumers.

On the remedial action list, we can make it available to the committee. We track and keep it up-to-date. It is very much part of our discussions with Irish Water. It is focused around directing investment in putting in place appropriate infrastructure in priority areas to ensure that drinking water quality is improved. It is important to mention that our reports in 2018 and previously show that the overall general quality of drinking water is very high, although, unfortunately, we have this very significant issue in front of us at the moment. We will make the remedial action list and the current situation in that regard available to the committee following this meeting.

Senator Boyhan also raised the issue of lead. We mentioned it as one of the priorities that we are tracking with Irish Water. We will also provide follow-up on that to the committee in due course.

With regard to the number of supplies that are currently at risk from cryptosporidium, we will make that list available as well. Approximately 16 supplies on the remedial action list specifically reference a problem with cryptosporidium.

The Senator also asked about the installation of a UV system. We have only just issued that recommendation to Irish Water. We have given it one month to respond to that recommendation. We understand that it would be a significant piece of infrastructure to install but we will await the response from Irish Water in that regard.