Ms Laura Burke:

I am more than happy to do so.

As for the strategy on lead, we are in discussions and active engagement with Irish Water on that but it has not been approved by the agency as of yet. Consequently, I do not wish to comment further or to try to have a discussion through the joint committee, as the Senator can imagine.

On the issue of fracking, we of course have no intention of reinventing the wheel. A huge amount of research has been carried out, at European level as well, with regard to fracking and what we need to do in the context of the research we are doing is to localise it. That is the reason that when Mr. Dara Lynott was talking about the work we are doing, it is very much about looking at how it would have an impact on an Irish situation. We are spending a significant amount of money on this research. There is a benefit from North-South engagement on this, in that it is being co-funded as it has an impact on both jurisdictions. However, the research is needed in order that we can make considered decisions with regard to fracking and whether it is something that should happen within Ireland.

On urban wastewater discharges and cases before the courts, I might just ask Mr. O'Leary to elaborate on that. On the domestic wastewater treatment systems and the overall failure rate of 24%, because this is a risk-based approach in which we target areas of highest risk, it is unsurprising in a way that one will get that level of failure. We are deliberately looking for inspections in areas in which we believe there may be more of a risk. Again, Mr. O'Leary might talk a little more about that. As for climate change and recommendations, the key is to have sectoral action plans because it is an issue about which we need each sector to play its part. Some sectors will be able to do more than others and one sector we certainly have highlighted is the energy sector and electricity production. There is a need, both nationally and internationally, to move to zero fossil carbon energy. This is a sector that makes a large contribution to emissions in Ireland at approximately 21%. There are technologies that are known and have been proven to reduce emissions in this sector.

It is also a sector that can assist other sectors, for example, low-fossil electricity production can help the residential and transport sector as well. It is a prime sector, if one is looking for a key area for action, and this is something the EPA has highlighted previously.

The merger itself went well. It is now at a stage of integration and ensuring that we get the best efficiencies and opportunities out of the combined forces of the EPA and the RPII. That is why we say that we have done this bit but ask are there other opportunities, for example, as I stated, in the monitoring area. It has been a success because of the attitude and the engagement of staff, and leadership from the RPII as well as the EPA. Everybody engaged proactively in ensuring that this would work.

On the EU directive on water pricing, I was asked how long will it be until the EU Commission loses patience. I suppose I cannot answer that one. We must wait and see. The EU's patience wears thin faster than did previously, when matters were quite long-drawn out. There is a process for faster infringement nowadays that we are aware of.

I might ask Dr. Ann McGarry to speak about the national radon control strategy and Mr. Gerard O'Leary might speak more about the cases before the courts.