Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 13 Nov 2003

Vol. 574 No. 3

Written Answers. - Water Supply Contamination.

John McGuinness

Question:

214 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if the water supply to the home of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny will be analysed by an environmental health officer under the European Communities (Quality of Water Intended for Human Consumption) Regulations, 1988; if the South-Eastern Health Board will determine, as part of this report, if this person could have contracted giardiasis from the water supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26987/03]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The regulations were signed by the then Minister for the Environment. The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has advised my Department that statutory responsibility for the provision of drinking water supplies and for upholding the prescribed quality standards is assigned to sanitary authorities.

My Department has no direct responsibility for this issue. However, my officials have been advised that Kilkenny County Council has arranged for a specialised test to be carried out for the presence-absence of giardia in the water supply of the person concerned. The results should be available shortly.