Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Flynn. We have reached the end of our allocated time. I thank all the witnesses for their attendance this morning. Their contributions were helpful and interesting. We all appreciate the need for good quality water for safe and reliable drinking water systems and for wastewater treatment plants not to damage the receiving waters into which they discharge. We are aware there has been underinvestment in the water infrastructure and network for many years. Irish Water has inherited a system that has many legacy issues. There is a commitment in the programme for Government to provide €8.5 billion capital investment in water infrastructure to upgrade plants and drinking water systems.

There are many issues we did not cover today, such as the leak reduction programme; the investment in the network itself and not just in the wastewater treatment plants and drinking water plants at either end of the pipes, but the pipe system between plants; and meeting our requirements under the water framework directive. We would like to invite the witnesses back at some point in the future so we can further address those issues. We will also invite the EPA to appear at some stage to discuss water quality and the reporting thereof. I thank everybody for their time this morning.