Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We closed our Christmas session with the water Bill and are opening our 2015 session with quite a number of concerns about the quality of our drinking water. Senator Wilson referred to reports of fuel smuggling and dangerous and possibly carcinogenic residues flowing into rivers. Senator Craughwell referred to health and safety concerns about water installations. Today's report by the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, is quite damning. According to it, 20,000 people cannot drink their water because of boil water notices and there are 121 at-risk supplies on its remedial action list. Various schemes in Galway, including in Connemara, have problems with lead, cryptosporidium and E. coli. What is the plan and when can the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Kelly, attend the House to report on the remediation action plan? We understand that progress has been made as regards drinking water, but everyone deserves clean, safe drinking water. It is clear from today's report that many people are being disadvantaged and their health is being put at risk. There can be no slip-ups on this issue. Will the Leader also explain whether the Minister will always answer to the House on behalf of Irish Water? This is an important question. We need to know who is accountable.