Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)

Cnservation of water is important. Monaghan County Council reduced water loss from 40% to 30%. I accept this figure has increased a little recently owing to burst water pipes. Group water schemes were mentioned earlier by my colleague. There is a group water scheme in Monaghan and it is providing a good service to farmers and households, which is approximately 1,600 people. It is doing so without one penny of grant aid from Government although the Minister promised me that when he was elected he would look into the matter. My letters have never been answered. That is not the way to run a country. One needs to have in place a plan. I urge the Minister to ensure proper plans are in place and that funds are made available to ensure roads and water pipes are repaired. There is no point providing water and then allowing some 43% of it to be wasted at enormous cost. The Minister is in Government and we will give him all the support he wants if he does the job right.

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