Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising what is a very important issue and I share his impatience. We want to get this done as fast as we possibly can. I was in Cobh recently, as was, I believe, the Deputy. This was a very significant achievement by Irish Water on the wastewater treatment system that is now operational and in place in the lower harbour region of Cork and significant progress was made there.

The EPA, however, has issued its report in respect of 34 towns. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has allocated in the past two budgets and in the July stimulus package significant additional capital funding to Irish Water in a bid to enable it to accelerate its programme. Any such wastewater treatment plant goes through a range of hurdles and logistics. I have seen it myself in places throughout the country where money is allocated, schemes are ready to go ahead. If I may say one final thing in the House on this issue-----

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