Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party)
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I am reminded of the Clinton-era military policy of “Don’t ask, don’t tell”. The flip side of this coin is the issue of private wells. We are not testing them in any sort of meaningful way. I imagine that the percentage of private water solutions being tested in real time mirrors that of septic tanks being tested. We can focus on Uisce Éireann, and the EPA has been critical of its achievements this morning, but at least I have a picture of those. I can at least look at the map and see whether Kilmore Quay needs to be addressed. There are many areas that are not captured, for example, Bunmahon in my constituency and Tramore pier at the bottom of my road, which is a whole other can of worms, but at least I have a picture. For private water into houses – wells – and septic tanks, though, I have no picture at all.