Cecilia Keaveney (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 390: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the policy in relation to making water connections into old asbestos pipes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15992/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Asbestos cement piping complying with the specifications of Irish Standard 188 which, inter alia, requires bitumen lining and coating, was widely used in the provision of new local authority water mains for more than 30 years. It has also been extensively used and is a well-established and accepted product for this purpose, internationally.

The main health risk associated with asbestos products relates to inhalation of airborne asbestos particles. The potential exposure to such risk has led to a decline in the use of asbestos material and asbestos cement pipes are no longer used in Ireland for new public water mains or sewer pipes. The World Health Organisation's position in relation to asbestos in drinking water is that there is no consistent evidence that ingested asbestos is hazardous to health and that there is no need to establish a health based guideline value for asbestos in drinking water.

Where it is necessary to make a connection to an existing asbestos cement water main, it is a matter for a local authority or its contractor, as appropriate, to ensure that the procedures and equipment used accord with relevant health and safety legislation.