Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Regional Group for bringing this most important motion forward. It reflects the underinvestment in this important sector over the lifetime of many Governments and over generations.

In 2019, the European Court of Justice found that Ireland had failed to uphold EU law in respect of almost 30 waste water treatment schemes across the country, including in Arklow in my home county of Wicklow. A report by the EPA in 2019 found that raw sewage was flowing into rivers and seas in 33 places across Ireland. That is the equivalent of waste water coming from 78,000 people across the country. As a result, Ireland was threatened with heavy fines for breaching EU rules on sewage treatment. Out of that came a commitment from Government and Irish Water to put in place a waste water treatment plan across the country.

Arklow was then identified by the EPA as an area where waste water is discharged into the Avoca River without any treatment, which is causing untold environmental damage to the surrounding area. As recently as last night, I was sent some images from a resident in Arklow that showed absolutely awful conditions in the river. The images showed brown scum floating down the river, which really should be a central feature of Arklow. The river is the jewel in the town's crown and we are treating it like it is a sewer. It is completely unacceptable.

The Government and Irish Water committed to funding the construction of a waste water treatment plant - something that local residents were delighted to hear after a 30-year battle to address the problem. Anyone who has been to Arklow will note the huge potential of the area. There is a lot of work under way in the town. There are many large-scale infrastructures being developed, including off-shore wind park, the flood relief scheme and remediation works being carried out at the Avoca mines, as well as the long-awaited, much-needed waste water treatment plant. Arklow was also recently chosen as Wicklow's decarbonisation zone in recognition of its potential.

Leading in large-scale development and climate action, Arklow has a lot going for it. However, this rests on the timely construction of this waste water treatment plant. Housing development, environmental protection and decarbonisation all require that water pollution is managed and it is done so sustainably. It is also important that it is done as quickly as possible. In that context, I have been very vocal about the concerns that ministerial consent has still not been provided for this fundamental project, despite the need for it. Irish Water applied for this ministerial consent in November 2020 and plan is sitting on the Minister's desk for approval.

I welcome the Minister's assertions that he is conducting due diligence on this plan. We all expect that to happen. We know that the plan and the consent is under active consideration. However, there are a lot of steps that need to be taken before work can start on this waste water treatment plant. These steps need to be taken as quickly as possible.

With so much uncertainty in recent years about this project, it is important that there are no additional delays and that certainty and clarity is provided to the residents who are to benefit from this project. While I am conscious that this is a large-scale project that requires ministerial sign-off on all aspects of it and I believe that it is necessary for the Minister to stand over it, I hope the Minister will give this project the priority it deserves. The project needs to be delivered in a transparent manner, with continued communication with the local residents in Arklow so that they know what to expect and when to expect it.

I would also like to acknowledge other Irish Water investment in our waste water treatment infrastructure, including the recent announcement of an upgrade to Aughrim's waste water treatment plant, as well in other small towns and villages across the county. Blessington will also get a much-needed upgrade. I welcome the work that Irish Water is doing in respect of some parts of the infrastructure in County Wicklow. However, the work must be expedited. Focus should be placed on areas of the project that are within our control. In respect of the issue of ministerial consent, the Minister should focus on it, expedite it and make sure that Arklow gets its waste water treatment plant as quickly as possible.

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