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

I have two supplementary questions and then I will return to the questions we did not get time to deal with initially. Returning to Dr. Ryan's comments with respect to comparisons between Leixlip and the recent incidents, he stated that similar issues arose but were not escalated. The non-escalation is what potentially made the more recent ones more significant. Part of my original question was about a series of actions which Irish Water and the local authorities were meant to take after Leixlip, and it seems that, in fact, not only were there serious issues and similar issues arising but also there was no escalation or notification more recently. That suggests, at least in these incidents, things were somewhat worse. Will Dr. Ryan talk us through in a little more detail what the similar issues were and whether he has any concerns that the programme of work that was agreed by Irish Water and the local authorities post 2019 is unsatisfactory? That is materially relevant to whether the programme of work they have agreed will do what is required.

With respect to the enforcement actions, could I clarify if it was said that whereas when the EPA last reported in 2019 there were 28 agglomerations, that is down to 13? From the EPA's estimation, when will those 13 be fully in compliance if everything goes as the agency is being told? I am also interested that it was stated it is not believed all of the pre-construction problems are planning. Perhaps it could be itemised what it is believed some of the others might be because when we raise it with Irish Water, its representatives seem to suggest planning is the only or primary one.

With respect to the appendix A priority areas in the EPA annual urban wastewater treatment report, the most recent report I have in front of me indicated there were 113 areas where improvements needed to be made. Will Dr. Ryan give us an update on progress with respect to that, both in terms of the number and the overall progress? Likewise, I appreciate the new equivalent drinking water report is coming out soon, but I would appreciated it even if Dr. Ryan could give us some indication or preview of the improvements on that front that we can expect in the report when it is published.