Seanad debates

Wednesday, 25 November 2015

10:30 am

Photo of Trevor Ó ClochartaighTrevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

First, I commend Women's Aid on the excellent conference it organised today on the challenge of online and technology abuse in shaming and stalking in intimate partner relationships. It draws some very stark conclusions regarding the lack of up-to-date legislation in this area. It is an area that is changing very quickly. We have held a number of debates on this issue but it would be worthwhile to examine it again in the context of comments by senior counsel at the conference today. Perhaps we should look at the models in the UK and Canada as regards the legislation they have been able to introduce on harassment.It is an issue that is worthy of debate in this House.

Senator Brennan referred to the report by the Environmental Protection Agency on urban wastewater which shows that raw sewage is being discharged into 45 lakes, rivers and coastal areas around the State. The report also found that wastewater discharge contributed to poor water quality at seven of Ireland's leading bathing spots. Discharges from Ardmore, Youghal, Clifton and Galway city contributed to poor-quality bathing water at several beaches. Of the 45 areas where raw sewage was discharged, 60% were in counties Cork, Donegal and Galway. The EPA identified instances where wastewater received no treatment or only preliminary treatment prior to discharge. The report notes that the failure to properly treat sewage can pose a risk to human health and the aquatic environment.

These findings copperfasten our view that the setting up of Irish Water is one of the worst policy decisions taken in the history of the State. It has been an absolute disgrace and a disaster.

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