Batt O'Keeffe (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

Ultimately, responsibility has been delegated to local authorities. They have their own science laboratories to test water quality. Water supplies must conform with the water framework directive. Accordingly, I can only conclude that, in certain circumstances, it is. The underlying problem is that the water is not up to the standard required by the directive in certain areas. For that reason, the Department has provided funding to ensure good, clean, healthy water is supplied to people in those areas. This scheme will go ahead. We ask that compromises should be made in the interests of all the people rather than of the sectional interests involved.