James Bannon (Fine Gael)

I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to the House for a debate on water quality. A recent global report showed that 40 million citizens in Europe do not have access to safe drinking water. Some 85 million people lack basic sanitation. The infrastructure in this country is deteriorating. Water supplies in many rural areas are the product of group water schemes and the systems are now ageing. Grants should be allocated to upgrade these water systems. Many small villages do not have sewage treatment plants. I am aware of at least seven villages in the midlands that are trying to develop but which do not have treatment plants. Development is taking place in those areas and we cannot slow it down. Documentation from these areas has been with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for many years but it is not receiving attention. It is no support to those organisations or communities to hear the Minister say on the airwaves that the country is awash with money when he cannot provide funding for basic infrastructure. I seek a debate on this important issue because it is urgent that it be addressed.