Raw sewage is directly discharged into the sea at 44 locations around the country, Irish Water said yesterday as it progressed plans to halt the flow of untreated wastewater at a beach centre in east Cork.

Irish Water has sanctioned a new €12m waste water treatment plant which will enhance an east Cork town’s potential for further industrial and residential development.

Work on three drainage projects in Cork cost twice the original estimate, leaving the county council heavily in debt.