Mr. Fintan Towey:

We are all aware that there are kinds of issues out there that need to be resolved. That is the guiding light in terms of the work that is being done by Uisce Éireann and through the rural water programme. On environmental issues, obviously the Environmental Protection Agency is the body responsible for assessing environmental compliance and identifying shortcomings in terms of the provision of water and wastewater services. That does provide the guiding light. Many of the programmes that are being implemented through Uisce Éireann and the rural water programme are oriented towards resolving those problems and pre-empting obvious instances where problems like that can emerge if capacity is not expanded. There are a lot of things happening in the area in general terms. The overall quantum of funding being provided to water services has increased very substantially over the past number of years and that applies both to the funding channelled through Uisce Éireann and that provided to the rural water programme.

A great deal is being done. I hear Deputy Daly's question on whether there is enough being done, or whether more can be done within the available overall funding pot. We are increasing the amount of funding that is being assigned to water services. We are trying to find and identify the priority areas in order to resolve the kinds of problems mentioned by the Deputy.