Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Leas-Cheann Comhairle and I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill. I support the comments made by Deputy Ó Broin. I will focus my comments, from my perspective as environment spokesperson and someone living in County Meath, on the importance of Uisce Éireann having a programme of work and seeking to deliver on that programme of work for communities and for our environment because we know that we have very particular challenges in infrastructure deficit in water and wastewater. That has an impact on planning and there is a great need to ensure there is alignment between county development plans and critical infrastructure priority programmes for water and wastewater, among other things. We are not there and it is a problem.

We see where the deficit or lag in delivery of water and wastewater infrastructure has an impact on development. I am someone who supports compact growth and transport-led development but where it does not happen or happens poorly, it is very problematic for people who have to live with it.

I will mention a number of projects in my own county that are at various stages of development and progress. In Ratoath, with a population that has seen very significant growth over recent years, the Windmill Hill reservoir and the replacement of the existing water mains needs to be a major priority. I would encourage the Minister, Uisce Éireann and the Department to ensure that it is delivered as a priority. It is working its way through the system. We have had very many water outages in recent times because the infrastructure is literally creaking at the seams and needs to be replaced and upgraded. I welcome that there is a commitment in regard to investment but we need to fast-track these projects and have them delivered.

This is similarly the case with Stamullen wastewater treatment plant and Kells wastewater treatment plant. That is an area I know and I commend the local angling community, the custodians of the water network, who do such great work as they are the first people who contact you if there are leakages, contamination or environmental harm or damage. They will spot it straightaway. I find so often that they are not adequately supported in that role. Kells wastewater treatment plant is on a long list of projects due a network upgrade but it needs to be advanced. We have seen from various Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, reports over the years that this is a project that was a priority but was pushed back and various intermediate or interim measures were taken to push it back even further. We need to see that work done.

Finally, I again commend the work of angling and community groups in my constituency and in the neighbouring constituencies of Louth and Meath East.

The Save the Boyne group has emerged in response to what I believe is an offensive planning proposal for a meat processing plant that will discharge wastewater into the Boyne. The group has sought an oral hearing from An Bord Pleanála and has been denied that. I believe that is the wrong decision and I will continue to make that case. I commend that group for its activism in opposition to this planning application but, far broader than that, for its work to support and protect the Boyne. It is very encouraging to see that type of environmental activism. I commend it for that work and will continue to support it and the call for an oral hearing.

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