Next is the Independent Technical Group, beginning with an Teachta Michael Collins.

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Tá go maith. I call Deputy Ken O'Flynn.

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We are on Irish Water infrastructure, a Theachta.

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There are two issues I wish to raise with the Minister of State on Irish Water infrastructure delivery. The first issue relates to connection fees and the second relates to pollution in waterways. Irish Water has a fee structure for connections that fails to take into account that community groups have to fundraise and get grants from Government and various sources to build community services. They are still treated as commercial entities when it comes to making a connection to water and sewerage. In Rylane, for example, we are building a community centre. The community group has been very active in fundraising. I am pleased the State and the Department have been able to provide €1.8 million in grants for the project. Irish Water is charging over €30,000 to connect to drinking and wastewater. Surely, Irish Water should recognise that these are not commercial entities. They are providing public services to communities and that should be reflected in the connection fee. Second, farmers are doing considerable work in improving water quality and putting in place infrastructure. They have on-site inspections from the council and various different authorities. It is right that there are inspections so that if there is a problem, it can be quickly dealt with. The same standards should be applied across the board to all polluters. If that polluter is Irish Water, it should be expected to deliver infrastructure just as quickly and prevent the pollution. For example, in Ballingarry, Irish Water is polluting the River Lee. Farther along, Irish Water is polluting the River Bandon at Dunmanway. All pollution should be treated equally. Uisce Éireann should be expected to deliver infrastructure as quickly as farmers are, for example.

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