Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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521. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the estimated cost of meeting Ireland's obligations under the urban wastewater framework directive; the timeline for meeting those obligations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43172/14]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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Since 1 January 2014 Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels including the delivery of water services capital infrastructure. The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 requires Irish Water to put in place an investment plan setting out where it considers investment in infrastructure is necessary for the effective performance of its functions, including compliance with Water Framework Directive requirements, improving sewage treatment and collection infrastructure in accordance with the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, responding to judgments of the European Court of Justice and achieving environmental and public health objectives arising from various regulations and EPA reports dealing with water quality.

Irish Water has published its proposed Capital Investment Plan 2014-2016 and this is available online at

Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives and has contacted all Oireachtas members to provide details of an improved level of service which it is aiming to provide. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a new dedicated number, 1890 578 578.