Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Rural Independent Group for bringing forward this motion. The essence of the motion sets out the difficulties we have in many parts of the country with regard to the outcome in cases where we do not have an appropriate system or one that works and delivers properly. We see that in many areas. There are pollution problems and that must be acknowledged. There are restrictions on development and expansion in many areas where change is badly needed.

One thing comes to mind for those living in a rural area like County Leitrim. At this stage in County Leitrim, almost 35% of the water is delivered through group water schemes. That is putting considerable pressure on the main source of water in Carrick-on-Shannon, which is the water treatment plant there. At a meeting of Leitrim County Council two weeks ago, I was told the council needed to get funding from Irish Water to get at least 50% additional capacity into that plant. This is necessary to cope with the pressure on the facility at present, which is above full capacity. The plant needs a certain storage volume in place but the facility does not have it at present. Those responsible need to look to the future for any expansion that may come throughout the county.

We also have Lough Talt in County Sligo in my constituency. I know the Minister is aware of this. There is a major problem with the water treatment system there. An upgrade is supposed to be undertaken. We understand there are issues with planning and various things. Every effort needs to be made to get that moving as quickly as possible to get the investment in place.

I acknowledge that investment is visible in some places. In September I visited Bundoran, where a €25 million project for an upgrade of the water treatment system is under way. Investment is visible in some places but not enough is happening in many areas throughout the country. One of the major issues with Irish Water in this regard is a failure in the sense that certain people cannot get the connection between the needs of the people and what Irish Water is prepared to deliver. This is evident in towns or areas where there is potential for business to develop. Carrick-on-Shannon is the location of a business called Masonite, which uses a great deal of water. It takes the water from the Shannon. Other businesses are looking to come to the area. They need large volumes of water but there is a difficulty in providing water for them. Irish Water is not a local authority and has no responsibility for economic development whereas the local authority has a responsibility in that regard. There is a disconnect in that sense. More needs to happen in that respect.

Reference was made to group water schemes and group sewerage schemes. These have the potential to do a great deal in many areas on the outskirts of small towns and villages. There are large numbers of septic tanks in such places. There are opportunities to put in place group sewerage schemes in these areas and pump back water into the treatment plant in the town or village. There seems to be a freeze in the funding to get such developments in place.

Several issues were raised in the motion. The call for additional investment is clear. We need to see investment. Deputy Ó Broin will go into the matter in more detail. We are conscious that the money allocated to Irish Water to spend on wastewater systems has been underspent in recent years. This continues to be the case up to the present.

We need to see a clear commitment from Government to deliver for people, not only the people in urban Ireland but those in rural Ireland too. I wish to raise another issue relating to septic tanks and sewage treatment systems for single houses. We have a problem in many areas in the country because the Environmental Protection Agency has a ban on building a house in rural Ireland if it does not meet the percolation test regardless of the quality to which the householders treat the associated sewage. At present, we have instances in County Leitrim whereby the sewage is treated to bathing water standard and yet people cannot get planning permission. Regardless of the standard to which people treat the water, the agency has a zero discharge rule in place. We need to have that issue dealt with.

The fundamental principle is that the money needs to be put in place, but it seems that even when the money is put in place – we have seen some of the money put in place with Irish Water – it is not going to the right places. It is not delivering to ensure that we protect the environment and provide for the needs of people in future.

I welcome the motion. The Minister needs to take a hand-on approach with Irish Water to ensure the company delivers for people. The feedback we are getting from local authority members and people throughout the country is that they are getting a poor service when they try to talk to Irish Water about their needs. I will leave it at that.

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