Written answers

Tuesday, 1 March 2022

Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government

Wastewater Treatment

Photo of Ivana BacikIvana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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338. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the engagement he has had with Irish Water and the Environmental Protection Agency since he assumed office in respect of the level of sewerage that is pumped into Dublin Bay; and the steps that can be taken to address this and to ensure adequate water quality for swimmers. [11672/22]

Photo of Darragh O'BrienDarragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Primary responsibility for the monitoring, management, protection and improvement of water quality is assigned to local authorities under the Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts and related legislation.

Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local level, including investment in waste water treatment plants and returning waste water safely to the environment in an efficient and sustainable manner.

The EPA is the key statutory body for investigating complaints of pollution and for the enforcement, both directly and through oversight of Irish Water and local authorities, of environmental legislation in Ireland, including compliance in relation to licensed urban waste water discharges.

In respect of the general protection of water quality in Dublin Bay, my officials are currently working with local authorities to examine the most suitable options to provide for safe bathing during the winter months, and to improve the provision of information on bathing water quality. The Dublin Bay Task Force, chaired by Dublin City Council, is carrying out work aimed at improving bathing water quality.

I along with Minister of State Noonan met with a number of stakeholders on Dublin Bay on 28 April 2021 and 23 June 2021. In addition, Minister of State Noonan also met with a group of Dublin Bay swimmers on 15 June 2021.

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