Archbishop critical of water quality

The Archbishop of Cashel and Emly, Dr Dermot Clifford, has criticised the Government's handling of water quality in Ireland.

In a lengthy Lenten pastoral dealing with the environment, he said it came "as no surprise" that the Government had been found to be in breach of the EU water directive.

He noted that, "having heard the defence of our Government, the European Court of Justice handed down the following judgement in November 2002: 'The argument that Ireland had taken steps to improve the quality of its water intended for human consumption cannot be accepted'."

The Government would, he trusted, "get its act together immediately in the interests of the health and safety of its citizens". But to meet EU demands, it would also need "the active co-operation of all our communities and individuals".

He asked if Irish drinking water was up to standard, "how do you account for the fact that 110 million litres of bottled water were bought in this country last year?"

He continued: "The right to clean drinking water is one of our basic human rights. Pope John Paul II placed it second only to food in his peace message for 2003.

"It came before housing, security, self-determination and independence."