The European Commission has referred Ireland to the European Court of Justice for breach of the water framework directive on the basis that in various places across the country raw sewage is being pumped into our rivers, streams and lakes. Will the Government defend that case and how is it proposed to fund the measures which would avert that problem? Was the Government aware of the likelihood that a case would be taken and what actions, legislative or otherwise, will it take to avoid it losing the case in the European Court of Justice and facing a significant fine?

I have often pointed out in the past just how far behind we are in this regard, with raw sewage being pumped into lakes, rivers and streams in many locations around the country. It is fair to say there has been an improvement in the last few years and progress is being made in this regard. The Deputy will be aware of the special committee of the Oireachtas set up to deal with water and wastewater. It will be able to provide the Deputy with the up-to-date figures on expenditure under the capital programme for the provision of water treatment facilities around the country.

The Government will explain to the European Commission the progress that is being made, with a timeline for improvement. That was started under many Ministers responsible for the environment and continues apace. Good progress has been made.

I look forward to the report from the Oireachtas committee dealing with wastewater. The Government will defend its case to the European Commission on the progress being made given the economic constraints. The Minister for Finance has pointed out the opportunities that may well exist in respect of other pieces of infrastructure, arising, for instance, from the European Investment Bank if it can be determined that income streams would be available from the infrastructure involved to pay for the long-term, low-interest loans.