Sinn Fein has hit out after the Environmental Protection agency (EPA) revealed that untreated sewage is being pumped into Ireland's water at 44 locations.

MEP Liadh Ní Riada said she is "shocked and appalled" by the announcement.

She said: "I'm, frankly, aghast that a wealthy country like Ireland is unable to provide the most basic of protections to public health; clean, safe water.

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"It's as baffling as it is disturbing that we have somehow failed to meet the most basic needs of our citizens.

"It is absolutely unacceptable that up to a third of our largest towns and cities have failed to meet the standards set to prevent pollution. Not only is it a threat to public health; in a developed, western society it's a national embarrassment.

"I will be writing to both the European Commission and Department to find out the reasons this failure to protect public health on such a grand scale was allowed to happen and to see what those responsible intend to do to fix the problem."

(CD)