Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this critically important issue. The supply of public water and the provision of water services in general are matters for Uisce Éireann in the first instance. Uisce Éireann has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local level. The Minister has no function regarding Uisce Éireann's specific operations although I note the points the Deputy raised about the 2025-29 plan.

The Environmental Protection Agency is the environmental regulator of Uisce Éireann and is responsible for issuing and enforcing authorisations for waste discharges. However, I asked Uisce Éireann for an update on the Deputy's behalf and have been informed that the wastewater collected in the Uisce Éireann sewer network in Ballydehob receives primary treatment in the Ballydehob wastewater treatment plant before being discharged into Roaringwater Bay. Primary treatment is not sufficient under current and what will be more onerous regulations into the future. The current status of Roaringwater Bay receiving water is good and complies with water framework directive objectives but I accept the Deputy's point that it is unacceptable. I am informed by Uisce Éireann that environmental impacts on receiving waters were considered when selecting projects for inclusion in the current capital investment programme 2019-24 and the Ballydehob wastewater treatment plant was not included. However, Uisce Éireann further informs me that the Ballydehob wastewater treatment plant project is currently at early strategic assessment stage, which involves the Uisce Éireann team developing the project rationale and objectives, project outcomes, a long list of potential options and an indicative range of costs.

Following this, it will again be considered for inclusion in the next Uisce Éireann capital investment plan. I will ask that it be included in the 2025-29 plan. I understand there is to be public consultation for that plan.

The EPA has been categorical in respect of the need for Uisce Éireann to ramp up and speed up its response to issues like that in Ballydehob in sites across the country where there are raw discharges. Thankfully, it has made significant progress and there has been a significant reduction, as well as tertiary treatment, in many plants across the country. There have been decades of underinvestment. Thankfully, the Government has addressed that in terms of providing significant funding for Uisce Éireann, most recently in budget 2025.

Even as I outline this to the Deputy today, in terms of project options it could take a considerable amount of time before a detailed plan and application are developed and the plant is fully upgraded. I agree that the situation is unacceptable. It is a special area of conservation. I am familiar with the area, as a frequent visitor. It is important that projects like this are prioritised, fast-tracked and included in the next operational plan for Uisce Éireann.

As I said, there is a recast of the urban wastewater treatment directive, which will place even more onerous targets on Uisce Éireann to ramp up investment. The EPA has also said delivery needs to be moving at a much more rapid pace. I will take this issue back to Uisce Éireann and ask that it be included in the 2025-29 capital plan.

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