Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising a very important matter. It is one that has public health dimensions to it, environmental dimensions and also development and housing dimensions. I will not pretend for a moment that I am in any way an expert on the intricacies of the wastewater infrastructure deficits and challenges the Deputy and her constituents face in Galway. If she does not mind, I will speak at a slightly higher level. I am happy to raise the issue with the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien.

I always see the challenges in regard to our drinking water and our wastewater infrastructure in the three ways I mentioned. There are thousands of homes in this country in which people are still operating under a boil water notice. By consuming their own water, they put their health at risk. That is relevant to those on the public water network and also to those who have drilled their own wells and are reliant on that supply. There is also a significant environmental impact on our river and coastal water quality. This has a real economic knock-on effect in terms of the conversation about the maintenance of the nitrates derogation and the importance that water quality will play in the determination the EU makes as to whether that derogation is extended. As the Deputy said, ultimately, the issue has a very significant development element as well. If we are not putting in place the sort of infrastructure we need to deal with the needs of new homes, then new homes cannot be built. I fully agree with her on the importance of regional balance. As a proud Dubliner, I do not want to see our entire country weighed around Dublin and the surrounding area. I strongly believe that our regional cites, including Galway, Waterford, Limerick and Cork, must be allowed to grow and must be given the key infrastructure to permit their development. Water is absolutely fundamental to that.

The current Uisce Éireann investment programme amounts to just over €5 billion. In my area, I have seen the positive outcome of that in terms of Irish Water taking this function away from the local authorities and implementing regional solutions to issues to do with drainage and wastewater. Its next set of investment plans will be set out next year. Where the Deputy and I might agree is that more investment is needed in this area. As we look at the NDP and available capital funds, for the environmental, public health and housing benefits it will bring, further investment in Irish Water to allow it to undertake and expand its role is hugely valuable.

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