Dr. Eimear Cotter:

To add to that, the Deputy has made a good point, on which we have not dwelled enough at this meeting, namely, the value of clean water. We know it is important for our health, with regard to the water we drink and food preparation, and as an input to industrial processing, including the agrifood industry. Farmers need clean water. It is also an integral part of our tourism industry. We cannot lose the clean waters we have in this country. Time and again, Fáilte Ireland reports that people come to this country because of the clean, unspoiled environment. The trends we have seen in the last number of years have been going in the wrong direction. We must reverse those trends and deal with, as Ms Gurrie said, all sources of water pollution so that we get, have, hold and maintain good water quality in the country.