Over 40 public water supplies in Ireland had lead levels which exceeded safety thresholds, according to tests carried out by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Labour is calling for a grant-aided scheme to be put in place to aid the removal of harmful piping.

Deputy Kenny confirmed 42 supplies tested had lead levels exceeding the thresholds.

Mr Kenny said: "Dublin city alone was known to have several thousand homes still with internal lead pipes and that situation is replicated across the country. Ireland is not alone in regard to having legacy issues with lead pipes. The problem is also prevalent in England, Scotland, and France.

"A public health specialist Dr Anthony Breslin has recently said that the full impact of lead exposure was serious and could cause neurological disease. He urged householders who had any doubts to have their pipes checked.

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"He also said that public awareness about the dangers of lead was high when it began to be removed from paint and petrol, but in the 20 to 30 years since, people may have become complacent.

"There is a great concern at St. Anne's Estate Raheny, in my constituency, at the presence of lead pipes in the water supply network in this estate comprising almost 700 homes. St. Anne's estate was built by Dublin Corporation, as it then was, and completed in 1954, as an estate to house families qualifying for a Local Authority loan to purchase a home.

"At that time they had to be either existing Corporation tenants or Corporation housing applicants to qualify. The design of the estate is similar to other Dublin Corporation estates of that period and this design continued right up to the 1970s. At the moment the problem with the lead water supply pipes is manifesting itself in St. Anne's estate.

"I am told that Irish Water is currently liaising with the Environmental Protection Agency to finalise a national strategy to address the issue of lead water pipes. Irish Water has also said property owners are responsible for the water distribution on their own properties, including all domestic internal plumbing."

(CD/JP)