Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the large number of Deputies who tabled questions on this issue. Quite a substantial number focused in on the nitrates directive to begin with, for which I thank Deputies Cleere, O'Meara, Dolan, McCormack, Cahill and Scanlon. The establishment of the Cabinet committee demonstrates the Government's commitment to addressing water quality improvements across all sectors. Obviously it is more than just about the nitrates directive. Key supports have been provided to farmers through schemes such as the targeted agricultural modernisation schemes and the 60% grant scheme for nutrient storage. Under the water framework directive, each member state is required to implement a new nitrates action programme every four years. Ireland is currently on the fifth nitrates action programme, which will expire in December of this year. At the European Commission's nitrates committee meeting on 12 December last year, Ireland signalled its intentions that it is planned to seek a renewal of its nitrates derogation in Ireland. That will be Ireland's sixth lap, which is due in December 2025. The Government will work with stakeholders, including through the agricultural water quality working group, to develop Ireland sixth nitrates action programme covering the period January 2026 to December 2029. Once approved, that will then be subject to a strategic environmental assessment, an appropriate assessment and public consultation before finalising the submission for the Commission. A derogation is granted by a member state vote at the nitrates committee and the sixth nitrates action programme must be in place before a vote can occur. If Ireland is to retain its derogation for January 2026, we must present at the nitrates committee quarterly meetings in March, June and September 2025 to ensure that a vote goes ahead at the December meeting. A vote is permitted only when the Commission is satisfied that Ireland's sixth nitrates action programme demonstrating improvements in water quality has been given to the nitrates committee and the Commission is satisfied with the proposed derogation programme. We will continue to work with stakeholders in that regard.

On the other questions, including from Deputy Boyd Barrett, there is huge investment going into existing pipelines and water systems across Dublin and across the country. With additional investment we also have to make sure there is investment for new water supply as well. There are many towns around country at the moment where houses cannot be built because of lack of water supply capacity and that cannot continue. We need to balance between overhauling the existing system and making sure we can grow.

Deputy Martin Daly managed to get a question in on Roscommon University Hospital. I was waiting for the question as to when was the hospital about to get a wastewater treatment plant or something of such relevance to the question but I admire innovation and creativity at all times. I will follow up with the HSE on the question in respect of the capital plan for 2025.

I agree with Deputy Cahill on natural methods of dealing with cleaning and particularly the wetland approaches and so on. I can work with him with to follow through on the ideas he has brought forward.

With regard to the Dublin Bay Bill, I will talk to the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, who has responsibility. Deputy Bacik asked whether we need more agencies. Increasingly we in this House are questioning the spend by agencies and the supervision of agencies. We need to make sure that Irish Water is doing what it is legislated and resourced to do. I am open to ideas all the time. We will follow through on that.

Deputy Pádraig O' Sullivan raised with me last week the issue of water quality in Cork. I will continue to engage with Irish Water about the quality of the water on the north side of Cork, which is not good. They did indicate to us last week that they were making progress but I take the Deputy's point that the fundamental issues remain in respect of the cast iron pipes and the difficulties that many households are facing with the quality of the water.

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