Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Buckley for raising the issue of providing safe drinking water in east Cork. I ask him to forgive the fact that it is me taking it rather than a line Minister. If the latter were the case, the Deputy might receive a more direct response.

I appreciate the Deputy’s concerns for the communities to which he referred. As he is more than well aware, this is a very serious issue. Otherwise, he would not be raising it repeatedly in the House.

The operation of Whitegate regional public water supply is a matter for Uisce Éireann, which, since 1 January 2014, has had statutory responsibility for it. In turn, the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, as the environmental regulator, is responsible for setting quality standards and enforcing compliance with EU directives and national regulations for the provision of drinking water.

The Department has made inquiries with Uisce Éireann about this matter. I am informed that the boil water notice currently in place for the Whitegate public water supply was issued following consultation between Uisce Éireann, Cork County Council and the HSE. Uisce Éireann is pursuing a permanent solution to address the frequent boil water notices that the people of east Cork have had to put up with in recent years. That involves a major upgrade of the water treatment plant. A contractor has been appointed to undertake the design and construction of the plant. Land has been acquired and a planning application was submitted in January. Planning permission was approved by Cork County Council in May. However, following the statutory process, appeals have been lodged with An Bord Pleanála which, of course, will delay progress. The proposed works will include a new coagulation, flocculation and clarification system, a new filtration system and a new disinfection system.

Significant upgrades will also be made to other aspects of the Kilva water treatment plant site. The EPA will ensure that the new plant meets all applicable standards before this supply is removed from its remedial action list. The Department’s priority is to ensure people’s health is protected and that adequate water is available for all consumers, citizens and residents. We want to see the notice lifted without undue delay, but obviously only when the HSE and the EPA have confirmed the water supply is safe.

As part of budget 2023, the Minister, Deputy Darragh O’Brien, secured funding of more than €1.65 billion to support water services. That includes €1.56 billion in respect of domestic water services provision by Uisce Éireann. The overall investment will deliver significant improvements in public water and wastewater services, as the Deputy is aware, improve water supplies right across Ireland, including rural Ireland, and support a range of programmes delivering improved water quality in our rivers, lakes and marine areas, making a significant contribution to addressing Ireland’s needs.

Very little of that is any comfort if you happen to be living with a boil water notice tonight. I hope that project can be completed as soon as possible.

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