Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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I understand and appreciate that. Ms Burke has gone through that and set it out for me but she said in response to Deputy Catherine Murphy that there was a thorough, multi-agency investigation and conclusions. I cannot agree with that, although that is a matter for another day outside this committee, from what I have read and because of the samples going missing, among many other things. However, I will park that.

I will turn to buffer zones, sewage treatment plants and radon. I do not wish to be parochial but an issue arose with a treatment plant in Spiddal and it has a general application with regard to guidelines from the EPA on buffer zones near wastewater treatment plants. I am not expecting Ms Burke to comment on an individual case but the inspector from An Bord Pleanála acknowledged in his report that the guidelines from the EPA are old and dated. I believe they are from 1990 or 1999. He said the guidance document is 20 years old and does not deal with larger wastewater treatment plants. This was in the context of one wastewater treatment plant where the residents wanted a larger buffer zone from the plant. They cited the EPA guidelines and the inspector cited them in recommending permission. However, he said it had to be acknowledged that they are 20 years old. In views of the changes in everything, such as scientific evidence and technology, does the EPA plan to update those guidelines?