Mr. Gerard O'Leary:

I will briefly touch on the issue of lead. In terms of the broader environment, we removed lead from paint in the 1950s, then we got lead removed from petrol in the 1970s and since then there has been an overall drive to reduce the exposure to lead.

In the late 1980s, the European Commission would have flagged a progressive reduction in lead in drinking water. We published guidance in 2009 as to how local authorities would identify lead in their areas. When that information became available in terms of the mains, some local authorities were progressive in terms of the removal of lead while others were not. The current standard, which came into play in December 2013, 10 mcg/l, is challenging. The overall approach to lead mains is to remove them. In terms of court cases, we have one local authority and also Uisce Éireann in court in regard to lead removal because we surveyed direction on the local authority and the lead was not removed.

In terms of wastewater, we have two cases before the courts - Clifden and Killybegs. On our overall approach in taking those cases, because there are considerable challenges in terms of many wastewater treatment plants, Clifden in County Galway is a designated bathing water area and in successive reports we identified E. coli. Whereas they have primary treatment, it is the obvious case in point. The directive dates back to 1991. Therefore, it was flagged when various urban areas required treatment. The case of Clifden required secondary treatment, and possibly further, by 2005. The second case we have before the courts is Killybegs. The treatment there, because of its size, dated back to 2000. In the case of Killybegs, there was no treatment. We have one other case, a drinking water case, before the courts but there is currently no more in terms of urban wastewater.