Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I accept that. Irish Water will be responsible for solving these water quality problems. Its water quality standards will be subject to supervision by the EPA. The drinking water regulations are being updated and the EPA will have powers to direct Uisce Éireann to take actions to protect drinking water supplies. Failure to comply will be an offence.

I will reflect on the issues raised and discuss them in the Department. I remind Members opposite that there are other legislative proposals to come. There is a commitment to provide for a free allowance for households in certain circumstances. The approach to setting charges will have to be approved by the energy regulator, but it will be fully transparent. The Commission for Energy Regulation is independent. It will receive the water charges plan which it will then publish and request observations on it. At the same time, it will perform due diligence on it.

The Minister has powers to direct Irish Water and the regulator to address circumstances such as those in County Roscommon. There should be no charges for anyone who does not have a water supply that he or she cannot consume without boiling.

The Minister recently approved funding for South Tipperary County Council to accept the most economically advantageous tender of over €12 million for the Burncourt and Fethard regional water schemes. As Deputy Mattie McGrath knows, the quality of water in both schemes does not meet current drinking water standards. There are boil-water notices in place for both schemes. The proposed works are designed to remedy these problems.

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