Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister for his reply. The EPA report is a serious indictment of the manner in which people cannot rely on the safety of drinking water in many parts of the country. According to the report 118,000 people had to boil their drinking water last year. Notwithstanding that, the Minister achieved a reasonable level of support from the Government in October for the 2009 Estimates he had shaved a little - some €40 million - off when it came to April. Galway of course has been high profile, but there are other areas that might not have got the attention they deserve. I seek an assurance that the people in areas affected will not need to continue to boil water for drinking or buy bottled water in shops. Fine Gael recently suggested making some investments under the Irish water company that we proposed to establish. Does the Minister have any similar plans? I ask the Minister to study our proposal. If there is an agreement between us on that proposal, would it be of assistance in ensuring that we get more schemes operational in the next year in order to meet our water framework directive requirements that are fast coming down the track?

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