Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)

I am grateful to the Ceann Comhairle for giving me the opportunity to raise this important issue on behalf of the people of Mullinahone, County Tipperary. Initially, I was reluctant to put the matter down on the Adjournment but eventually was forced to do so because of the severity of water shortages in Mullinahone. In the past ten years during the summer months, but also the winter, the area suffers desperate water shortages. The locals have lobbied the local authority and it has been raised at council meetings. At times the water is off for a two-week period. People in Ballydonnell and Jamestown are extremely badly affected. We all know water is a scarce resource and those who have a good water supply do not realise the value of it. People who are paying water rates, many of whom are in rural areas, are extremely frustrated with the service. I wish to bring to the attention of the Minister of State that the county council contacted the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on several occasions. It has applied for new pipes to be provided in the area. There is a difficulty with the Fethard and Burncoat supply scheme, a new scheme that will be introduced in 2012. A new layer of pipes needs to be installed in the Mullinahone area for that scheme to be successful. South Tipperary County Council applied for water mains replacement in 2008. In 2009 the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government requested further information. This was submitted in October 2009 and the council is now under fierce pressure to carry out remedial works but cannot do so unless the Department sanctions €8 million to replace the pipes.

When a new round of funding is announced, which I expect shortly, the Mullinahone area must be given particular attention. Officials in the Department want to help. I request the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to sanction the money on behalf of the people of Mullinahone. This is an urgent request.

See this speech in context