A new study released last week found that sewage discharge released into rivers is far worse-----

Sorry?

Sewage discharge is far worse than what is coming off the land from agriculture. The University of Oxford revealed that sewage discharge into rivers has a greater impact on water quality and the animals and plant life in the rivers than effluent from farmers, despite the bashing of farmers all the time. The Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, is not honest on this and it must be challenged. It had a report saying there was 32 plants in the 26 Counties discharging sewage. There are 30 in Tipperary alone and it is not checking them. Irish Water must be compelled to stop this pollution of our rivers. We have the wonderful River Suir, a blueway. There is kayaking, walking and cycling along it but it is being polluted by villages, including my own. They are waiting for funding. The county councils have handed over responsibility to Irish Water. Irish Water must be held to account and the Government must provide finance to do these works. It should not be demonising the farmers always when the State bodies are causing the problem here, according to this report.

We have been investing very significantly over the last three years in wastewater treatment. Phosphorus pollution is a clear issue in urban wastewater and nitrates are in an agricultural context. We are not demonising farmers at all.

Be honest.

I have spoken to farmers in recent weeks. They are very interested in good methodology and good farming practice as well. They are as concerned as anyone to make sure our waterways are clean. Irish Water is the body responsible for the overall development of wastewater treatment plans.

What about the EPA?

The big issue in all this is capacity to get more and more done physically. Resources are there. There is a plan to get the plants built and treatment plants in place.