This weekend, raw sewage was again being discharged into the wild Atlantic from the coast at Kilkee beach. The HSE and Clare County Council prohibited bathing in the area. Raw sewage flowing through the pipes and out into bathing water has now occurred for three consecutive years, and this has now been in contravention of the EU wastewater directive for 16 years. We had been hearing that the upgrade to the infrastructure would be completed this year. However, Irish Water has now stated that it could be four years before modern sewerage infrastructure is installed in Kilkee. Local councillor, Cillian Murphy, a party colleague of ours, and the whole community is up in arms. We are asking the Taoiseach and the Government to intervene to put a spurt on to ensure we do not have to wait and to be 20 years in non-compliance with the wastewater directive. We need clean and safe bathing waters in Kilkee.

Kilkee is a popular and attractive location for many people. Many Corkonians, indeed, spend their summer holidays there. I will intervene and talk to the Minister to see if we can get this project accelerated, because pumping raw sewage into a bay of this importance is not acceptable in this day and age. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Michael McGrath, has allocated substantial additional funds to Irish Water to improve our overall performance in respect of water treatment plants and water infrastructure.