John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

I have read the amendment into the record. Let me start by saying that I am in agreement with Fine Gael on at least two factors. First, I share the Fine Gael concerns about difficulties - in some cases severe difficulties - that the recent disruptions to water supplies have caused for families, businesses and the farming community, particularly during the festive season and following on from very harsh weather conditions in the lead-up to Christmas. It is only when supply is disrupted that the importance of this service is fully brought home to us.

Before I go into more detail on the background to this problem, the steps taken to deal with it in the short term and the longer term plans for rehabilitating defective water mains and modernising the water sector, I want to place on the record of this House my gratitude for the efforts of local authority staff and their contractors in responding to the situation as quickly as possible in what were exceptionally challenging circumstances.

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