John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The next slot is the Fine Gael slot. I will take that.

Senator Boyhan referred to Irish Water's engagement with us as Oireachtas Members. It is important to put on the record the positive and proactive engagement we have with Irish Water staff. I can speak from my experience of trying to resolve several issues in Waterford. I thank the representatives for that. There are particular issues concerning Waterford that I referred to in my engagement with the EPA and HSE. I raise them not to be parochial but to give an example of what happens when a complaint is registered when a boil water notice is in existence and to explore how we get to the point of rectifying the problem.

Could I go back to the first point, on the boil water notice? Mr. Gleeson referred to 30 days. The community of Fán Glas, Kilmeadan, has been subject to a boil water notice since February of this year. I understand Irish Water is engaged in procurement for works to rectify the problem; however, it will be an awfully long time from February to Christmas, which is when I hope the problem will be resolved. Brown water is coming out of the taps. I argue that tankers should be provided by Irish Water. They are not. The community has been left in this position since February. Can the delegates explain why it has taken so long? What are the impediments that have meant brown water is still in the taps in October although a boil water notice was put in place with the HSE regarding a problem that was identified in February?