Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

The latest Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, report on wastewater has highlighted major issues with poorly treated sewage continuing to harm the quality of our rivers, lakes and coastal waters. The damage the report reveals is being done to our waters is incredibly worrying. Some 51% of Ireland's sewage was treated to the European standard set to protect our environment, well below the EU average of 90%. There are areas across the country that failed the EU treatment standards, but half of them are in Cork: Clonakilty and Kinsale, in my constituency, as well as Carrigaline, Cobh, Rathcormack and Mitchelstown. Then there are the 32 areas where raw sewage is just being discharged into rivers and the sea, including Castletownsend, in Cork South-West. Unless they lived in or visited these areas, I think most people would find it unimaginable that in 2022, we are still dumping raw sewage directly into our waters.

This is symptomatic of underinvestment in water infrastructure. There are many issues Irish Water needs to address but the Minister cannot pass the buck. Issues with wastewater treatment are one of the major matters I deal with in my office, from the lack of a proper support system in Shannon Vale to malodours from wastewater treatment plants in Kinsale, Castletownbere and Belgooly. Each time I bring this up here or ask a parliamentary question, I am told it is the responsibility of Irish Water, allowing the Minister to wash his hands of the matter. That is not good enough because, ultimately, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage has responsibility for water quality.

This hypocrisy was most clear earlier in the year, when the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, visited Shannon Vale to see the impact of the lack of proper infrastructure. A formerly beautiful park in the centre of the village is now a dangerous and polluted area due to the inadequate wastewater system.

I tried to ask a parliamentary question following the Minister's visit but it was disallowed because he apparently has no responsibility for Irish Water. The Minister was implying to the community that he could do something about the issue while apparently having no role in resolving it afterwards.

Irish Water has an operational function but the issues raised in the EPA report relate to capital investment, which is definitely the Government's responsibility. It clearly states that based on current investment levels, it will take at least two decades to get all treatment facilities up to standards. The EPA has found that it will take a multibilllion euro investment and, based on current investment levels, at least two decades to get all treatment systems up to standard. That is simply unacceptable.

Some areas in Ireland are looking at the release of wastewater below health and environmental standards well into the 2040s. There is a clear need for accelerated investment. Each year, the EPA produces these reports and there is slow progress but this is shockingly slow. New plans such as Castletownbere have come online but they have their own problems. I have to once again point out the importance of investment in public services such as education, disability services, healthcare and now, water services, rather than giving tax cuts to wealthier people. Every year, the Government chooses not to invest in water infrastructure and it is another year that our waters are polluted.

This report only deals with wastewater. It does not mention the areas in Cork South-West and throughout the country where drinking water facilities are at capacity. Will the Minister of State provide the necessary funding to help communities such as Kinsale, Clonakilty and Castletownbere?

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