John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank our witnesses for coming before us. I am sure it was due to the time pressures Dr. Ryan faced in making his contribution but I note that much of what was in the opening statement provided to us between pages 2 and 6, which contains information on lots of positive progress in the water and wastewater areas, was not touched on. I am not for one second suggesting that everything is rosy in the garden, but it is important to say that, according to Dr. Ryan's statement, there has been a reduction of 16, from 28 to 12, in the number of large towns and cities that failed to meet the standards under the wastewater treatment directive. Priority areas for wastewater treatment systems have decreased from 148 to 97. Importantly, Dr. Ryan also said the quality of public drinking water remains exceptionally high in Ireland, with 99.9% compliance with microbiological parameters and 99.6% compliance within chemical parameters in 2019. Those are positive things. Are there updated figures for those parameters for 2020?

I have a further question relating to the Creagh water treatment plant issue, which obviously caused a great deal of concern and anger. I refer to the main incident, which resulted in the hospitalisation of people. The EPA's presentation stated that there was no chlorination between 19 and 24 August. I wish to ask about the situation during 28 to 30 August. In the report on the virtual audit of the plant, finding No. 1 states that inadequately disinfected water entered the Gorey supply system between those dates. However, the report later notes that Wexford County Council and Irish Water stated that disinfection was adequate during this period. Those statements are contradictory in nature. Following the audits and investigations at the Creagh water treatment plant, and the evidence provided by the council, is the EPA satisfied that between 28 and 30 August - I am not referring to the initial period of 18 to 24 August - the water that entered the supply system was adequately disinfected?