Ms Angela Ryan:

Irish Water has a lead reduction strategy and we are looking at various actions to resolve the issue of lead in drinking water. There are no lead water mains within the distribution network. Lead occurs between the distribution network that supplies water and the customers' properties, namely, the customer service pipe. An element of that customer service pipe is within Irish Water's control, a section of it is privately owned by the customer, and then there can be lead in the plumbing systems within a property. Irish Water must work with other stakeholders to reduce lead exceedances at the customer's tap. We have an implementation plan in place and to date we have removed 50,000 lead services of an estimated 180,000 lead services nationally within the public supply.