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

I thank Deputy Connolly. I will read the script I have been provided and then come back in with some other responses. I wrote to Deputy Connolly last week on foot of a question on policy or legislation to the Taoiseach.

The supply of public water and 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 levels. The Minister has no function with regard to Uisce Éireann’s specific operations.

I have, however, made inquiries on the Deputy's behalf and have been informed by Uisce Éireann that a significant investment programme in Galway, which has led to brand new wastewater treatment plants and infrastructure in An Spidéal and Ahascragh, has resulted in the elimination of raw sewage discharges. A €13 million upgrade of the wastewater network infrastructure in Athenry was completed in 2024, reducing the risk of sewer flooding and addressing non-compliant sewer overflows into the River Clarin. Planned upgrades for Mountbellew and Eyrecourt will be progressed through the current and future investment cycles subject to approval and planning. Uisce Éireann is also progressing projects to upgrade wastewater pumping stations at Bearna, Oranmore and Merlin Park. These are currently progressing through the planning and delivery process.

With regard to the existing pipes under the estuary, Uisce Éireann has completed a survey of the siphons under the River Corrib and can confirm they are not at risk of collapse. A local structural issue was identified and this was fixed through planned capital maintenance works earlier this year. Uisce Éireann is also addressing historic defects in the sewer network in Galway. The drainage area plan for Galway developed by Uisce Éireann will drive major network refurbishment across the catchment, which includes Bearna and Oranmore.

Galway has been Ireland’s most rapidly developing urban area for over half a century and is a key driver for the west of Ireland, with a projected 40% increase of its population in the period 2022 to 2040. As a result of this growth, the wastewater infrastructure is challenged to keep pace with the increased demand for new serviced land for housing, commercial developments and industry. On Thursday 26 September, Uisce Éireann launched an eight-week public consultation on a long-term plan to ensure the adequate provision of wastewater services for Galway city and parts of Galway county. The strategy aims to support future growth of the city and region. The 50-year Galway wastewater strategy will address all wastewater treatment and network infrastructure for the Galway metropolitan, Athenry and Moycullen areas to determine what upgrades are required to meet the future needs of the population. This will take into account economic development, environmental changes and climate change.

This critical strategy will have a significant benefit for current and future generations living and working in Galway. It will set out how we envisage wastewater services and infrastructure will be provided to homes and businesses over the next 50 years. Uisce Éireann is consulting with a wide range of stakeholders to progress this comprehensive assessment of all existing infrastructure and is asking members of the public to have their say in future development and how these essential services are managed and delivered.

Deputy Connolly mentioned a second pipe under the River Corrib. It is not in my reply but we can certainly ask Uisce Éireann to investigate that. I was not aware of that pipe. The Deputy also mentioned the tankering of-----

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