Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for the question. I have a written answer but it is the same as the previous answer so, if it is okay, I am not going to read it out. I hope that will allow us to move through the questions more quickly. The important change with regard to accountability is that the EPA now reports directly to me. The agency is not under my Department's remit. In the course of an audit, the EPA, because it is independent, will audit a plant, make recommendations and will then take Irish Water or any other body to task over the implementation of those recommendations. It has strong powers to do so. Earlier this year in Donegal, the EPA pursued Irish Water in respect of a number of issues. It is very important that the EPA is strongly independent so that it can act without needing to drag in a Minister. In respect of this plant in particular, given what we have seen in the events in March, October and November, it is important that the EPA will now report directly to me. Following on from its report, which is more detailed than the audit, I will engage with Irish Water and with Fingal County Council to see what needs to be done. I will do that very soon. I have seen the revised timelines arising from the March recommendations. I am not necessarily happy with them, although I understand that it is very difficult to change parts of the filtration system without having to cut off people's water supply. I want to see whether there is something we can do to help in that regard.

With regard to UV treatment, given the critical nature of this plant and the increased demands on it arising from an increase in the supply of housing, we have to ensure that the necessary treatment equipment is in place. To repeat my earlier point, the boil water notice currently in place as a result of the November event would still be in place if UV treatment equipment was present. The lack of this equipment did not cause this issue. With regard to the more detailed report the EPA will supply to me and the recommendations that will flow from it, we will have to look again at both the operation of the plant and the investment planned for it.

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