David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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It found that in 28 of the 179 large towns and cities, wastewater treatment did not meet mandatory standards set to prevent pollution and protect public health; in some 38 towns and villages untreated wastewater flowed into the environment every day; there were 57 areas where wastewater is the sole threat to rivers, estuaries, lakes and coastal waters at risk of pollution; three urban areas needed upgrade works to protect beaches with poor-quality housing water; 15 towns and villages needed improvements in wastewater treatment to protect critically endangered freshwater pearl mussels or to safeguard shellfish habitats; and 13 priority wastewater collection networks or sewers needed to be upgraded. An awful lot of money obviously needs to be spent and a lot needs to be done. From the perspective of the Committee of Public Accounts, which is concerned with value for money, I note that the EU Commission also commenced infringement proceedings against this State for our failure to meet obligations. Are those proceedings under the wastewater treatment directive that was mentioned earlier? When did the infringement proceedings commence?