Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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177. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government given that Ireland was subject to an EU infringement procedure regarding the failure to progress a sewerage scheme for the agglomeration of Gweedore, if he can provide an update regarding the EU Commission’s view now of the failure to fully progress the scheme on time; if Ireland is currently subject to any infringement procedures as a result of this; if he is aware of any plans for the Commission to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38257/24]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Gweedore waste water treatment was originally included in proceedings against Ireland taken by the European Commission but this was withdrawn in 2017.

In July 2022 Uisce Éireann, in partnership with Donegal County Council, completed an innovative project for waste water treatment in Gweedore. This new scheme will ultimately lead to a reduction in the reliance on septic tanks in the area and decrease the potential for release of untreated wastewater into the environment.

Uisce Éireann has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local level, including investment in wastewater treatment plants and returning wastewater safely to the environment in an efficient and sustainable manner. As Minister I have no operational function in this matter, under section 7 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013.

However, it may be helpful to note that Uisce Éireann has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 0818-578578.

The Environmental Protection Agency, as the Environmental Regulator, is the key statutory body for investigating complaints of pollution and for the enforcement, both directly and through oversight of Uisce Éireann and local authorities, of environmental legislation, including compliance. The EPA is an independent public body established under the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992.