Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I want to flag that the UCD Earth Institute, in conjunction with UCC, will host a seminar next Tuesday, 13 February, for one hour. It will be in No. 45 Merrion Square, which is the Irish Architectural Archive building, and the topic is unregulated private wells, hidden hazards and the evidence for policy and action. It is very important, and I want to use this opportunity in advance of that seminar to call on the Government to introduce a well-funded - a water well-funded - advertising campaign for water cleanliness in the interest of public health. With our huge issues in terms of private wells, the Leader would know as a rural dweller herself about the impact of this. I regularly get representations from farm homesteads, particularly where they do not have the resources or the funding to re-bore a well. They have no direct fresh water mains. I believe that every home should have equal access to water. For those who live in towns, that is not necessarily a challenge, as opposed to those who live in rural areas through necessity or, for that matter, by choice. The UCD Earth Institute has told us that the research and evidence are clear, with comparative studies both here and abroad that highlight the gaps.They say there are significant inequalities in relation to rural Ireland affecting over 800,000 rural dwellers. That is a considerable number of people. Forestry, agriculture, fertiliser, sheep dips and bad sceptic tanks are a contributory factor, but that is not all. There is significant leaching. This is a public health issue. It is a crisis. We know about the significant damage that cryptosporidium does to people. We know the damage from human faeces and animal faeces in our water supply. I would like at some point to have a debate on it. On behalf of UCD art institute that does amazing work and UCC, I just want to flag that this event is only for one hour, at 45 Merrion Square, next Tuesday. I would encourage Members of the Houses to attend.