Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

We have the fastest-growing economy in Europe but we also have the fastest-growing child poverty in Europe. The 11 sewerage projects in Wexford have been ready to go for a long time but central government has not funded them and they are not going to start as soon as the Taoiseach has indicated. Sewerage is going into the sea because this Government has tolerated it, the same as the one before it.

There was supposed to be an upgrade in Ringsend. The local authority was told that the site was not big enough to accommodate a new upgrading facility. The long sea outfall project was commissioned and eventually got through planning after six years of work. What is happening now? Irish Water has decided it can build the plant on-site and it need not carry out the long sea outfall project. Why is this? It is because it will cost €100 million. Irish Water is going to do a cheaper version. Irish Water maintains it has new technology and it will magic it up. I would like to see what kind of effect that will have on Sandymount beach and Merrion beach, because that will be a problem.

If Irish Water builds a facility that causes pollution, who will deal with the issue? The local authority will. As I told the Taoiseach two weeks ago, Irish Water is not taking on responsibility for dealing with pollution, flooding or storm water; therefore, dealing with the pollution it causes will be the responsibility of the local authority.

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