Cecilia Keaveney (Fianna Fail)

Approximately 25% of groundwater locations exceeded the mean guide nitrate concentration for drinking water, an increase of 2% from the previous reporting period 2001-03, with 2% breaching the mandatory limit, the same proportion as in the previous reporting period. Breaches of drinking water standards pose great dangers to the public. Regulation of nitrate levels in drinking water is necessary as excess levels can cause conditions such as methemoglobinemia in young children.