Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I can tell the Leas-Chathaoirleach that I have broken it up phonetically for myself as tri-halo-methane. Trihalomethane is the issue before us today. This matter is the result of an engagement with the National Federation of Group Water Schemes, with which the Leas-Chathaoirleach will be very familiar, as we all are. I want to put on the record our thanks to that organisation for the amazing work they do in their communities on the management of quality water.

I am very keen to hear from the Minister of State regarding the ongoing engagement between the European Commission and the Department on trihalomethanes and the issues around this. I understand there continues to be ongoing correspondence between the Commission and the Department in respect of Ireland's failure to address trihalomethanes in several public and private water supplies. I also understand that the Commission has indicated to Ireland its intention to escalate this case further, which may result in possible fines for the Government. The National Federation of Group Water Schemes has urged every group water scheme impacted at this stage to engage with their local authorities and to seek best advice and best practice.

It is important that we have a balanced discussion. The key message is that the use of chlorine to ensure safe drinking water is important and necessary. Trihalomethanes are formed as a result of adding chlorine to water, although the chlorine is essential to ensure the quality of our drinking water. Most drinking water in Ireland comes from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes and streams and it has to be treated because there is vegetative matter getting into the water streams. As I said, most drinking water is treated with chlorine, which kills the bacteria and viruses commonly found in drinking water by disinfecting it.

I will use the term THM for trihalomethane. I went on the HSE website today. It states:

THMs can be ingested (swallowed), if present in water.

THMs may be inhaled (breathed in), if present in air, as most THMs in water evaporate.

THMs can be inhaled or absorbed though the skin while showering or bathing.

On the question "How can THMs affect my health?", the HSE website states:

Some studies suggest a link between long term exposure to THMs ... and cancer and reproductive effects but the evidence is not conclusive.

THMs are classified as ‘possibly carcinogenic’ to humans...

There is some evidence that THMs cause cancer in animals.

Some studies suggest that very long-term exposure [to] THMs may be linked to ... increased risk of some types of cancer in humans, in particular bladder and colon cancer. The evidence however, is not conclusive.

On the question "What can I do to reduce my exposure to THMs?" the website deals with that in great detail.

We have three organisations responsible for water, namely, Irish Water, the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, which has a serious role in monitoring the quality of water, and the National Federation of Group Water Schemes. I do not want to be alarmist but there is an issue in this regard. At the kernel of this is the European Commission, which has raised concerns with the Government and the Department. I would like to hear how that is going and what the Minister of State’s knowledge is of these concerns.