Ballingarry wastewater pollution
Aindrias Moynihan questioned the EPA's approach to water quality and raised pollution from Ballingarry into the River Lee. The Minister of State said the Department was reviewing the relevant schemes and would consider the Ballingarry issue specifically.
The recent EPA report on water quality outlined how ground waters continued to be under pressure from human activities. The EPA states there was no significant change in the biological quality of rivers and lakes in 2022, with some deterioration being offset by improvements in others. The role of those bodies has been long established. Take Irish Water’s role in water pollution. Look at how Ballingarry is discharging into the River Lee. The EPA report seems to take a soft enough approach to Irish Water and its pollution. It appears to be comfortable to allow it off to the next cycle of funding. That certainly would not be tolerated if it was coming from agriculture.
The need for a new sewerage scheme in Ballingarry is long established. Irish Water has been dragging this out.
Comment on this
Will Irish Water be allowed to continue polluting or will it be put up to it to get on with putting a new sewer in Ballingarry?
Comment on this
The Deputy has raised an issue that is particularly relevant to Ballingarry, which he represents. He will be aware the Department and the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, are reviewing the nature of schemes and what is happening. The Deputy raised a dual issue: one relates to the EPA and the other is Ballingarry. It is something the Department will consider and I will speak to the Minister specifically.