Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Apr 1999

Vol. 503 No. 6

Written Answers. - Water Quality.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

40 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the position regarding the proposed legal action by the EU Commission over the failure of Ireland to adequately adhere to the EU directive on drinking water quality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10835/99]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey)

The European Commission's primary concern in relation to implementation by Ireland of the Drinking Water Directive has been the quality of many private group water supplies.

I refer to the reply to Priority Questions Nos. 30 and 32 in which I outlined the wide range of measures being taken under the rural water programme to address quality deficiencies in group water supplies. A total of £28 million has been allocated to the programme in 1999, an increase of £7 million over 1998.

My Department and the local authorities are committed to working in close co-operation with the private group scheme sector to ensure that the deficiencies identified in the EPA report are tackled in a comprehensive and integrated manner.

In a recent communication, we have assured the Commission of our commitment to ensuring that all group water supplies are brought up to the standard required under Directive 80/778/EEC. The difficulties associated in particular with private group water schemes have been highlighted in the comprehensive annual reports on drinking water quality published by the EPA, and we have fully acknowledged these difficulties. The Commission has been advised of the significant progress which has been made in developing our monitoring programme under the directive, and has full details of the measures and considerable resources which have been targeted at improving water quality in line with the requirements of the directive. Particular emphasis has been placed on the wide range of measures specifically focused on improving the microbiological quality of drinking water supplies. In terms of the group water supply sector, we have emphasised the significance of the rural water programme in the context of addressing the microbiological problems associated with private group water schemes.

My Department will continue to keep the Commission informed of progress on the rural water programme.