Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

16. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government in view of the prospect of the State being issued with fines for breaches of the urban water water directive, the reason he has refused to publish the reasoned opinion from the European Commission; his views on the content of this reasoned opinion; and the actions being funded by his Department and being undertaken by his Department and Irish Water to resolve the issues raised in the Commission's opinion. [35456/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive sets out the requirements for the collection, treatment and discharge of waste water from urban areas/agglomerations. Compliance with the requirements of this Directive is reported annually by the Environmental Protection Agency in their Urban Waste Water Treatment Report. In September 2013, the European Commission commenced formal infringement proceedings against Ireland regarding non-compliance with the requirements of the Directive in the case of certain named agglomerations. An additional letter of formal notice issued from the European Commission in September 2015.

In January 2016, my Department, assisted by Irish Water, and in consultation with the Environmental Protection Agency, responded to the Commission in relation to the infringement. The response set out the plans in place, including timeframes, to ensure compliance. This was followed by a 6 monthly progress update which was sent to the European Commission in July 2016.

In September 2016, a reasoned opinion on this infringement issued from the European Commission. My Department, with the support of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Irish Water, is currently preparing a response which will be completed before the end of November 2016. While these legal proceedings are still ongoing against the State, it would be inappropriate of me to comment further on the matter .

Since 1st 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 management of urban waste water collection and treatment infrastructure. Irish Water has set out in its Water Services Strategic Plan its approach and strategies for the delivery of these services in a manner that will protect the environment and provide wastewater services in an efficient and economic manner. The strategic approach involved, supported by the planned investment for the period to 2021 outlined in more detail in Irish Water’s Business Plan, will play a critical role in ultimately supporting Ireland’s compliance with relevant EU water legislation.