Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am glad the Senator agrees. It cannot be allowed to continue.

Nationally, our population is increasing, and that is to be welcomed. Our economy is growing, and our climate is changing. I will return to the House in the new year to talk about that very important issue. These realities bring new demands and challenges for our water system, realities that a single national utility is best equipped to manage.

Ireland’s water challenges are not unique. Water demand is rising and supply is becoming less secure. By 2030, the world is expected to need 40% more water than will be available. We are distinct from most countries in the level of freshwater available, a benefit we can turn to our advantage by creating a world class water sector that can attract water-intensive industries such as ICT, pharma-chem and agrifood to Ireland. These industries combined already sustain - I think this is a modest figures - well over 200,000 jobs between them. In order to have inward investment in this country, we must ensure that we have an adequate water supply. It is one of the questions that is asked of IDA Ireland when companies are looking at locating in this country. We often talk about the need for broadband in this country, and through my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Alex White, we are dealing with this. It is certainly an issue that has gone on way too long, but it is being dealt with. If we do not do something about water, however, broadband or other infrastructure issues will not be the first thing on people's list when they ask about Ireland. It will be water. We must face up to that.

By 2030, our river basin management plans will have been reviewed a further three times and the quality of our water bodies will have to have improved. Our rivers, lakes and other water bodies need greater protection not just for the protection of public health and our natural environment, but to ensure our thriving tourism industry can continue to prosper under the banner of Ireland’s image as a clean, green country. I doubt anyone will stand in front of the House who absolutely wants to ensure that happens. It is a passion of mine. Environmental and economic regulation of water services must be inter-linked. The Government’s water sector reforms are coherent responses to all these demands on our public water system. They are aimed at ensuring the country has security of clean, reliable water supply and adequate wastewater treatment - when I say "wastewater", I mean sewage, because that is what it is - so that our communities, economy and environment are served by a public water system fit for the 21st century.

Irish Water was established in July 2013 and assumed responsibility for water services functions on 1 January this year. It has already shown the difference a single, national utility can make in making services more efficient, cost effective and national-minded.

It has adopted a new approach to asset management which has resulted in a significant change of approach to infrastructural delivery. Central strategic planning is now based on accurate asset performance data and full control of all investment decisions. The utility is now planning investment consistently across the asset base rather than on large-scale, one-off investments, which we have seen previously. An example of this is the proposed Ringsend wastewater treatment plant upgrade, where an alternative approach to a treatment plant extension will save Irish Water €170 million in capital investment.