Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Minister is correct that investment in wastewater treatment was very low under the Fianna Fáil Government, but it was the actually the Fine Gael-Labour Party Government that cut capital investment in wastewater treatment to historically low levels. That was the reason the European Commission initiated the infringement proceedings. That is why there was a case brought to the European Court of Justice, and why the Government still faces the possibility of very significant fines. The most recent word from the European Commission is that it is not satisfied with the progress to date. Having said all that, Ireland's own Environmental Protection Agency says that this plant is failing to meet the requirements of its wastewater discharge licence and is failing to meet Ireland's legal obligations. Irish Water has said that the upgrade should be complete by 2023. Is that the Minister's expectation? Is he saying that the residents of Dublin city and the users of Dublin Bay will have to wait for three full years before these discharges stop, or does he believe it can be done sooner? What is the Minister doing to assist Irish Water in that?

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