Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

This is my second visit to the Chamber today but my first time to address the Senators present. I congratulate new Members on all sides, including my former colleagues in the other House who have been promoted to the Upper House, Senators who were successfully returned and Senator Moylan on his elevation to the position of Cathaoirleach. I thank Senator McFadden for raising this important issue and Senator Ryan for the important points he made.

Ireland will experience significant climate change impacts, even if international efforts are successful in stopping or slowing down the current rate of increase in average global temperature. Research on future impacts of climate change on Ireland predicts changes in rainfall frequency and intensity. This will require us to invest in measures to reduce the adverse impact of such changes such as infrastructural investment to deal with more intense floods and droughts and to ensure that water supplies continue tobe able to service social and economic requirements.

Water is a finite resource and we have a collective responsibility to manage it effectively for future generations. Local authorities, which are at the heart of this challenge, have a range of facilities available to them to produce, deliver and conserve sufficient stocks of water to meet current and anticipated needs. The Department co-ordinates and finances a major programme of investment in improved water supply infrastructure. Details of currently approved projects are set out in the water services investment programme 2007-09 which the Minister published only last month. A copy of the document is available in the Oireachtas Library. The programme includes some 330 schemes worth €2.6 billion which relate exclusively to water supply.

The National Development Plan 2007-2013 includes an increase of 27% — to €4.7 billion — in planned spending on water services by comparison to the previous NDP. Substantial increases in water treatment, storage and delivery capacity will be achieved on foot of this investment. Schemes completed in the period 1997 to 2006 have already produced additional drinking water treatment capacity equivalent to the needs of a population of 1.2 million.

Conservation of water supplies has an equally important role to play in avoiding water shortages and developing sustainable water use practices. Finding additional water supply capacity through leakage control and better supply system management is preferable to capital investment in new infrastructure. It reduces environmental pressures from extra raw water abstraction, treatment and delivery. Some €288 million is available to local authorities from the Department's national water conservation programme for measures to reduce leakage and other unaccounted for water losses from public water supplies. By the end of the year, almost all non-domestic water supplies will be metered, giving the business community a means and incentive to determine how to reduce water consumption, providing both a financial and environmental benefit.

It is of fundamental importance that we continue to plan strategically for future pressures on water services whether from climate change or other influences. A passive approach will not do. There must be a concerted, planned and co-ordinated response. The Water Services Act 2007 provides for that and requires all local authorities to manage their water services functions within a framework that requires six-year strategic plans to be drawn up for each area.

Ahead of the legislation, many local authorities have moved to plan for their long-term needs. For example, the Dublin, Cork and Limerick local authorities have completed studies with minimum horizons of 20 years. The strategic water plans that local authorities must draw up under the Act will address current and projected challenges and identify appropriate responses to changing pressures and demands. Detailed guidance on the preparation of these plans is to be available shortly from the Department and I will bring the related provision of the Act into force soon afterwards.

Overall, I am satisfied that with adequate commitment and planning by all stakeholders, the integrated policies, strategies and financial resources being put in place will ensure the national water supply infrastructure will be capable of meeting all reasonable demands in the future. Senator McFadden raised issues referred to previously in the Dáil by Deputy O'Rourke. I will send the additional information to the Senator, as I was not aware it was part of tonight's debate.