Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)

I thank the Minister of State. I appreciate the reply and accept that there has been an infrastructure deficit over years, which means that Uisce Éireann is playing catch-up. Issues like this are concrete and need to be addressed. In addition, this case illustrates how communities do not feel heard. The local community and the EPA have raised concerns about this plant for nearly 15 years, but nothing has been done. It is nice to hear that the Minister of State will take the necessary steps. This is affecting the local community and is causing damage to a special area of conservation.

We also need greater transparency around how projects are prioritised as funding becomes available. I mentioned that this is a problem across my constituency. In Shannonvale, near Clonakilty, there have been issues for years with a septic tank overflowing into a green space in the middle of the village. The heart of the village is now, essentially, closed off as a result. It is appalling for the local community that this issue has not been resolved. I do not understand how it has not been prioritised. We need urgent investment in infrastructure and wastewater throughout west Cork. There are housing development developments in Clonakilty, Kinsale, Dunmanway and the entire Beara Peninsula which have been stalled because of a lack of sufficient water infrastructure.

The primary treatment the Minister of State has said will happen in Ballydehob is welcome. As he said, it is not enough. I thank him for agreeing to ask Uisce Éireann to include this project in the 2025-29 investment programme. He said it takes time to assess these things. However, this issue has been well assessed going back to 2012. I do not think it needs to take a significant level of time and consultation. The plan has been in place since then but has not been acted on. I ask the Minister of State to keep us updated on any reply from Uisce Éireann. That would be greatly appreciated by the people of Ballydehob.

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