Dr. Edmond O'Reilly:

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as an gceist sin. Freagróidh mise an cheist seo ar aon nós agus, arís, leanfaidh mé ar aghaidh i mBéarla anois. This question effectively comes back to how we prioritise work in Uisce Éireann and the scale of the work we carry out. I know that Deputy Moynihan and I have spoken in the past on this topic as well with regard to Béal Átha an Ghaorthaidh in County Cork.

In broad terms, the scale of investment required across the board in Ireland with regard to the deficits in the water services infrastructure are quite significant. We have been making steady progress across the board with regard to the investment we have been making in the projects we have completed as to the scale and the number of projects.

Broadly speaking, we take our direction from the legislation which is in place governing the quality of water and wastewater we treat and produce. With regard to the primary legislation derived from the European directives, on the wastewater side we have the urban wastewater treatment directive. I might pass over to my colleague Mr. Joyce in a couple of moments to talk about the water side, specifically. I will carry on with regard to wastewater for now.