James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

-----ran low, leading to a major shortage of water for domestic and business uses. Many of the water schemes in Longford and Westmeath and across Ireland date back to the 1960s and 1970s. They still have asbestos piping which urgently need upgrading. None of this has been done, nor is likely to be unless urgently needed extra funding is provided. Such inefficient, outdated water networks have contributed to the recent problems as has the failure of some developers to comply fully with planning permissions.

The residents of the Drumlish area of County Longford lost their domestic water supply before the Christmas break, on 21 December, and an unreliable supply continued well into the new year. On complaining to the water services section of the council, they were told it must be a local problem because there had been no shut-downs. On 26 December some water was restored but at a very low pressure. Services were withdrawn totally again on 31 December and it was well into January before they were restored. Christmas was completely spoiled for these people and, ultimately, no one took responsibility.

As everyone is aware, water supplies were not the only casualty of the weather. Roads throughout the country were severely damaged and now pose a serious health and safety hazard. The road between Ballinacarrig and Mullingar was closed for long periods last week as a result of the craters people encountered on it as they travelled towards Mullingar. Our roads must be restored as a matter of urgency and additional funding must be provided in this regard. Six months after the completion of any water scheme, a local authority should be obliged to return in order to deal with any subsidence that has been caused. If additional funding were provided to repair any such deterioration, considerable financial savings could be made.

In light of cutbacks of 32% imposed by the Department of Transport in respect of budgets relating to regional and local roads, the problem caused by weather damage has been exacerbated. The Government is out of control and its incompetence knows no bounds. In the coming months, its members will be given a lesson by the people.

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