Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)

When this serious issue was raised by Deputy Connolly I consulted with Monaghan County Council because County Monaghan is one of the busiest food producing areas in the country and the county depends on food production for income and employment. Any adverse publicity could be very serious. I am happy to say that the county council officials have made every effort to rectify the situation as quickly as possible. I agree with Deputy Connolly that there should be a much better means of checking the situation. The first I heard was that chickens and cattle were refusing to drink the water. It is obvious that the company which was handed the bundle system has literally bundled it themselves as the problem is not just in the Teholland-Glasslough area but also in significant areas of County Cavan. There is no excuse for this and decisive action must be taken. In the past these water schemes were run by voluntary committees. These voluntary groups made sure that while the water may not have been perfect, it certainly would not do any damage.

I refer to a reply I received from the Minister this week to an inquiry on behalf of the Donaghmoyne group water scheme. This was one of the first schemes in the country to install a plant to deal with the problem which is now in Galway and it treats the water for the same parasite problem. This scheme has done its best to work with the system, albeit outside the bundle. The Minister in his reply stated that the scheme did not seek or obtain approval. This scheme sought to meet the criteria in every possible way. It is nothing short of a disgrace. It was informed that if it did not go into the bundle it would not be penalised and that has not been denied, yet when it made the effort to go otherwise, it was stalled. Although it had a totally clean record with its bankers, the bank withdrew the money when it was about to start. The amount of skullduggery associated with this issue is unforgivable.

The Minister should arrange a full inquiry to see how the group can get water for its producers at a realistic price while the cost of water to so many others is at such a level. Legislation is extremely important but common sense must prevail. This group is providing water to 1,500 households plus another couple of hundred people and it finds that because of a difference of opinion, it is allowed to suffer and that is wrong. I assure the Minister that whether it is given a grant, the job has been done and has been financed, and that raises more questions. If the group can proceed on its own without a grant, how is all the money being spent and why is it being spent?

I question the long-term commitments made by other schemes which now find themselves with organisations that are increasing the costs far above inflation and are producing unacceptable water as a result of the chemicals used. I ask the Minister to examine the situation and I thank him for listening. I hope he will deal with the situation in a practical way before it is too late.

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