Ms Ann Marie Part:

Boil water notices are not introduced lightly. We are very conscious of the impact they have on society and the community and on economics. However, when they are introduced they are introduced because that is what is needed to protect public health. That is the reason that the environmental health service and the public health service are called upon for advice by Irish Water. We respond to those consultations very quickly. We respond to them out-of-hours, if required. They are done through an agreed process; they are done by phone call initially and then they are followed up. We monitor and work with the local authority and Irish Water, and the EPA, if necessary, to ensure that every action is taken as quickly as possible to lift them. The time that boil water notices used to apply has reduced significantly but it is certainly not something that is done lightly; it is done because we feel that there is no other option.