Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 556: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of towns and villages here that have experienced boil notices on the public water supply in 2005, 2006 and 2007; the provisions he has put in place to provide clean public drinking water for those dependent on each supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8872/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Responsibility for the management and operation of public water supplies rests with the local authorities, and my Department does not hold comprehensive data on operational matters, including boil notices, in relation to individual supplies.

The Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for monitoring and reporting on drinking water supplies. Under the European Communities (Drinking Water) (No.2) Regulations, 2007, a local authority is required to notify the Agency whenever a boil-water notice is issued in respect of a public water supply. Details of such notifications may be obtained from the Agency.

Information in relation to drinking water supplies generally is published by the Agency on an annual basis. The Agency's most recent report "The Provision and Quality of Drinking Water in Ireland — A Report for the Years 2006-2007", and reports for previous years, are available in the Oireachtas Library.