Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The issue I am raising concerns the pending case against Ireland by the European Commission at the European Court of Justice in regard to the failure by the State, between 2000 and 2005, to meet deadlines set for the upgrading of existing sewage treatment plants and completion of new plants. That failure is affecting 38 towns throughout the country, including Cork city, Fermoy, Mallow, Midleton, Ballincollig, Ringaskiddy, Youghal and Rathcormak in County Cork; Gweedore, Killybegs and Ballybofey in County Donegal; Tipperary, Roscrea and Thurles in County Tipperary; as well as, among others, Kilkenny, Dundalk, Enniscorthy and Killarney. Ireland had until the end of 2005 to ensure any urban area with a population base of more than 15,000 had adequate sewage treatment facilities to prevent discharges from those medium-sized towns into rivers, lakes and estuaries. It is a public health issue.

We are experiencing some turmoil in this House at the moment on the issue of water charges. In that context, I am concerned there may not be enough capital funding available to complete sewage and wastewater treatment plant upgrades. Irish Water has estimated that all sewage treatment plants will be upgraded by 2021, at a slated cost of €1.2 billion. In the current climate, however, with the ongoing debate on water charges, it seems likely there may be slippage on that target. Will the Minister give an assurance to the affected towns that they will have access to reliable, adequate and safe wastewater and sewage treatment plants? Will he further guarantee there will be no slippage in the budget line and that the targets which need to be met by 2021 will continue to be met?

See this speech in context