"We have allowed our green and wonderful land, producing clean, healthy, wholesome food as its principal export, to be compromised by bad environmental management, but are now on a clear purpose to enhance and protect public health and the environment, for the benefit of rural dwellers and a better quality water supply for everybody," stated Carlow and Kilkeeny Deputy Ann Phelan TD.

The Deputy who was speaking in the Dáil on Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011, said that this is another legacy issue because of the scandalous under-funding of public sewerage treatment plants during the housing boom. "Failure to put prior provision of water and sewerage treatment ahead of development has been the frequent cause of pollution and the risk to public health."

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She stated that EU penalty threats on Ireland to install registration, inspection and remedial measures, designed to prevent human faecal contamination from entering the food chain are stark. Such contamination is the main source of waterborne pathogens found in drinking water supplies including cryptosporidium.

"To allay fears by those on low incomes who may have to upgrade, I welcome Minister Phil Hogan's assurances in the Seanad that, 'grants are something that can be considered when we know the extent of the problem in 2013'."

(CD)