Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Understood.

To respond to Deputy O'Sullivan, he is correct that for whatever reason, the local authority did not apply for Shannon Vale to enter into the scheme I brought forward. Post Question Time, however, and with regard to Drinagh, I will follow up particularly with Shannon Vale. I will reach out again to the local authority. We need to get Uisce Éireann and the local authority meeting on this situation. I would go so far as to say there is a public health issue here, and a very serious one at that, and the situation cannot be allowed continue. I do expect to make announcements on the other schemes imminently. We did not get as many applications right across the country as one would have expected, to be frank.

In response to Deputy Ó Murchú, I take the point. We do have the largest investment programme in water services under way, with about €6 billion through Uisce Éireann on the capital side. That will also require upgrades to existing sewer networks, which is happening right across the country for older infrastructure that is in place. If the Deputy wants to raise any specific items with me, he should feel free to do so.

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