Mr. Denis Holland:

It has been looked at, Chairman. First, I will go back a little. The local authority housing estate at Hillview was the subject of an application by the local authority to the EPA for what is called a certificate of authorisation. That was granted. On 1 January 2014 the EPA, as it did in relation to all similar agglomerations, county-wide and country-wide, transferred that certificate of authorisation in the name of Irish Water. If one looks up the EPA website, one will see that as far as the EPA is concerned, the holder of the relevant certificate of authorisation for that treatment plant is Irish Water.

The possibility of Rocksprings connecting into the plant was the subject of the technical assessment that was carried out in June of this year. In partnership with the local authority, Irish Water did a major investigation of that treatment plant to see whether it was capable of receiving the extra effluent from Rocksprings. I understand that Irish Water was satisfied that the plant could take the extra effluent. However, there may have been some concerns in relation to the condition of the receiving water, bearing in mind the additional treated effluent that would be coming into it. That would require further attention. That report, which was referred to in the opening statement, was sent to the Department and further developments in that area are awaited.