Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank my colleagues in the Regional Group for tabling the motion. It is clear that Irish Water's delivery of new wastewater treatment plants is simply not working. We need a clear strategic plan to make regional development a reality by investing in water and wastewater infrastructure in our towns and villages. That is a must.

The latest report of the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, has shown that many towns and villages simply do not have adequate water and wastewater treatment services. The report is also highly critical of Irish Water's delivery of new treatment plants. It highlights that 19 large towns and cities did not treat wastewater to a European standard in 2019, and notes that 35 areas continued to discharge raw sewage, including Omeath in my county of Louth. It goes on to state that 48 areas were under significant threat to inland and coastal water pollution as a result of wastewater discharge. Of these 48 areas, a number of areas in County Louth were identified, including Dundalk, Blackrock, Castlebellingham, Dunleer and Tallanstown. The report also notes 13 areas where wastewater discharge must immediately be improved to protect endangered freshwater pearl mussels and again two areas in County Louth were identified, Carlingford and Omeath.

The report gives a grim overview of both Irish Water and the delivery of treatment plants. It is clear that action is needed, which is why we in the Regional Group call on the Government to take action immediately. The motion calls on the Government to recognise that many towns and villages do not have water and wastewater treatment services. We need people living in communities in order to develop growth centres

Our towns and villages need investment to provide the necessary infrastructure to attract young families to live in the area and raise their children. We also want the Government to recognise that clean water and waste water systems are essential components to grow communities and that excessive cost to the homeowner for the provision of water and waste water treatment services is a barrier to providing homes.

We have also called on the Government to acknowledge that regional development will provide the catalyst for economic recovery post Covid-19 and Brexit, particularly for Border areas such as Louth. It should also acknowledge the provision of housing for all is a national economic and social imperative and infrastructural costs for the provision of water and waste water treatment cannot be the sole responsibility of the house buyer.

In tabling the motion, we call on the Government to take the following action: to create a strategic plan to make regional development a reality by investing in water and waste water infrastructure in our towns and villages; to implement a development led infrastructure system to fast-track infrastructure development in our towns and villages to create a balanced development; and to put in place a transparent cost structure for new, and extensions to existing, water and waste water treatment services.

The EPA has clearly identified the failure of Irish Water to deliver adequate waste water treatment plants. It has also highlighted the consequences of not taking action. We must take action now and the Government must step up now and provide the resources. We cannot ignore this report. The many areas around the country that have been identified as being at risk is alarming. In my constituency of Louth a large number of areas have been identified as requiring immediate action, including Dundalk, Omeath, Carlingford, Blackrock, Castlebellingham, Tallanstown and Dunleer. Louth is the smallest county in Ireland.

We in the Regional Group seek cross-party support for the motion. We appeal to the Government to take immediate action. What is needed now is action, not empty words. As I have said previously, we need the Government to invest in water and waste water infrastructure in our towns and villages. I come from the smallest county in the country and the Minister of State can appreciate the serious problems we have. I appeal to him for his help.

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