Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 November 2004
213 Mr. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the SEHB has conducted an analysis of the quality of the drinking water at Clogh and Moneenroe, County Kilkenny; if so, if the reports will be publicised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30250/04]
View answerThe Department of Health and Children is not the Department responsible for the analysis of the quality of drinking water. The Minister for the Environment and Local Government made regulations in 2000 through SI 439 to give effect to the terms of the European Communities (Drinking Water) Regulations 2000. Under these regulations it is the duty of the sanitary authority to take the necessary steps to ensure that water intended for human consumption is wholesome and clean and meets the requirements of the regulations. A sanitary authority is defined under the regulations as a sanitary authority for the purposes of the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Acts 1878 to 1964. I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
