SDLP Infrastructure Spokesperson Mark H Durkan has urged the Minister and the Executive to take immediate action to address problems within Northern Ireland Water.

Mr Durkan warned that the current state of the wastewater system is creating significant delays for infrastructure projects across Northern Ireland, posing a threat to development and progress.

He said: "Despite the scale of the problems facing our wastewater system, the Executive and Minister are failing to treat this with the seriousness and urgency needed. There are no quick fix solutions, and the Minister must communicate to the Executive and the public what the solutions might be. The Minister has been quick to rule out proposals to address these issues, but has been far less forthcoming on what meaningful measures he might consider.

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"A good start would be implementing the recommendations of the recent audit office report and commissioning an expert-led independent review of how NI Water is funded and the governance arrangements in place. The Minister should also work with Executive colleagues to bring forward a range of credible options that will actually solve the issues facing NI Water. The SDLP Opposition is ready to engage constructively with any proposals, but if we don’t see action soon there will be further consequences when it comes to our economy, our environment and for the general public."