Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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233. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will identify the 80 locations with deficiencies in wastewater treatment which are the subject of the European Court of Justice case against Ireland; the identity of the operators of the wastewater treatment plants; the status of the legal action and an approximation of the fines facing the State for non-compliance with prescribed treatment standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43665/14]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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In October 2013 Ireland received Infringement notification by Letter of Formal Notice from the European Commission in relation to perceived failures to fulfil obligations under Articles 3, 4, 5, 10 and 12 of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). My Department provided detailed material in relation to the various agglomerations, and Ireland’s efforts to bring non-compliant agglomerations into compliance, in its written response to the European Commission in December 2013. This was followed up with a supplementary written response providing additional detailed information regarding Article 5 compliance in February 2014. My Department, along with representatives of Irish Water, met with the European Commission in April 2014 to discuss Ireland’s written response and explore options for resolving the Commission complaint. The matter was further discussed at a ‘Package Meeting’ with the European Commission in May 2014. The European Commission’s formal response is awaited and at this time the question of fines does not arise. The following is a list of the agglomerations that are the subject of the Infringement notification: Abbeyfeale, Abbeyleix, Arklow, Athlone, Athy, Ballincollig, Ballybofey/Stranolar, Ballyragget, Blarney, Borrisoleigh, Callan, Carlow, Carrigtohill, Carrickmacross, Carrick-on-Suir, Castlebar, Castlebridge, Castlecomer, Castletroy, Cavan Town, Clifden, Clonakilty, Cobh, Cork City, Dundalk, Dunmanway, Enfield, Enniscorthy, Fermoy, Glanmire/Riverstown/Little Island, Gorey, Kildare Town, Kilkenny City & Environs, Killarney, Killybegs, Kingscourt, Kinsale, Leixlip, Letterkenny, Lusk, Mallow, Manorhamilton, Midleton, Monaghan, Monksland, Mountmellick, Mountrath, Navan, Nenagh, Osberstown, Passage/Monkstown, Piltown, Portarlington, Rathcormac, Rathdowney, Ringaskiddy, Ringsend, Roscommon Town, Roscrea, Shannon Town, Skibbereen, Swords, Templemore, Tralee, Tramore River Valley, Thurles, Tubbercurry, Tullamore, Tullow, Urlingford, Waterford City, Youghal.

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. City and county councils (former water services authorities) which were responsible for the provision of water and wastewater services until 1 January 2014 now provide these services to Irish Water on an agency basis including oversight of the operation of wastewater treatment plants.

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 Waste Water 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 the following link: