Lorraine Higgins (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for coming to the House to deal with this issue which has occurred in Craughwell, County Galway. I raise the matter of the private wastewater treatment plant on behalf of the residents of the Dún Ard housing estate. The plant services up to 59 houses. Water is seeping out of the plant and into the nearby Dunkellin River which is presenting a significant environmental and health and safety issue. The threat posed by the plant is further corroborated by the fact that information has become available to the residents under an FOI request which indicates that the plant failed all monitoring tests carried out between 2007 and 2012 yet nothing was done by the relevant authorities to rectify the matter. To exacerbate the situation, the ESB switched off the electricity supply to the wastewater treatment plant last week due to an unpaid bill, which will undoubtedly cause further significant problems. It is clear from the information I have received that there is a threat of water pollution and environmental damage as a result of the foregoing. Health and safety consequences will inevitably follow as long as the power to the treatment plant remains off. On that basis I ask the Minister to take all necessary remedial steps to ensure that appropriate enforcement action is taken to address the issue. It is imperative that residents receive confirmation that the wastewater treatment system serving the Dun Ard estate is operated and maintained in accordance with the licence requirements, that it does not cause environmental pollution and that all relevant environmental legislation is being complied with.