Niall Ó Brolcháin (Green Party)

A previous speaker stated that the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has done little in respect of Galway. However, there was a crisis involving cryptosporidium in the water supply in Galway. Unfortunately, it was not possible to solve this crisis in the three or four weeks prior to the election. However, the fact is that Galway is now the most cryptosporidium-free location in the world. It took approximately four months to achieve this - which was record time - but it was done.

A major issue regarding lead pipes and their use to carry water supplies also arose in Galway. I worked with the Minister to ensure this matter would be dealt with and this is being done at present. The position regarding lead pipes is not perfect, especially when one considers that there are many of them in use throughout the country. It is crucial that these would be replaced in a systematic fashion, particularly in view of the issue that arises with regard to water and lead pipes.

I was involved with the western river basin district management project. Such projects throughout Ireland and Europe and not based on borders, they are instead based on water catchment areas. In that context, there are some projects which traverse the Border with Northern Ireland. This is the right way to proceed in respect of water. The latter does not stop flowing because there is a boundary in place. For example, some of the water in the River Shannon actually originates in the North of Ireland. If there are problems with water in the North, these can emerge in the South as a result of the way rivers flow.

Most of the drinking water supplied to Galway city originates in the Galway County Council's area of remit. I agree with Fine Gael that an issue arises in this regard and that there must be co-ordination among local authorities. I am of the view that such co-ordination should happen at a regional rather than a national level. Nevertheless, I accept Fine Gael's point that further co-ordination is required. I commend the motion in that regard.

There is no doubt that much of the pipe network must be replaced. Senator Norris referred to transporting water from the Shannon to Dublin. I do not see this as the way forward, especially as more than 43% of treated water in Dublin disappears into the ground. It is wrong to blame the Minister or the Government for the fact that drinking water is running through 18th century pipes. We need to improve the position and eradicate the leaks. Anyone who cares to read up on this subject will discover that water is one of the currencies of the future. Water is becoming increasingly scarce worldwide and to have a proper, clean and healthy water supply is important, particularly when one considers that water is going to become an increasingly rare commodity. People can refer to economic difficulties but I would certainly choose water over money. If we had no water, we would be in major trouble. A clean water supply is an aim of this Government and it should also be an aim of any future Administration.

Bringing water to the east from the west would not be appropriate. We must have regard to the national spatial strategy. It would be better to facilitate investment in the west in order that people might be encouraged to live there. We should not centralise everything in Dublin or use huge amounts of energy to pump water from the River Shannon to Dublin. The latter approach is wrong and I would object to it.

My final point relates to water charges. Like the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, I am of the view that the Opposition should outline how it intends to obtain money to pay for the water infrastructure that is required. We must consider how we can fund, in a proper manner, the water services investment programme in the coming years. That programme is crucial for the future of the nation.