Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

In the case of the Government and all local authorities, especially my local authority, more preparation should be done. Local authorities should be ready for the weather because it seems because of climate change this will be the situation every year. I do not wish to be negative - it is not my nature to do so - but I received a letter from the office of the Ceann Comhairle, presumably on the advice of someone in the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, which informs me that effectively the Minister has no responsibility for water supplies. That will not put Deputy Charlie O'Connor off. As far as I am concerned, people are entitled to their water supply. If there are difficulties, people are entitled to know what is going on. I call on all local authorities to recognise this and I have said as much to my local authority. I pay tribute to the workers on the ground, especially in South Dublin County Council, for their efforts. There were communications difficulties. People should know what is going on. On Sunday, one radio station in Dublin stated that the only areas in Dublin where water was being cut were local authority areas, which is an absolute disgrace if it was the case. It was not the case but it is important that we raise these issues at the level of the national Parliament. I wish the Leas-Cheann Comhairle well for the remainder of the evening.

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