Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the opportunity to address this motion, which was tabled by Fine Gael. This is a suitable time to discuss the issue in view of the difficulties that have been encountered by many of our citizens over the Christmas period. I am speaking from experience, having been without water for four or five days over Christmas, and I know the burden it places on families and the difficulties it creates for many.

We must recognise that the weather conditions we went through last month were extreme. Although they were reminiscent of last year's cold weather, there were longer periods of below-zero temperatures. Met Éireann will confirm that the cold spell we have seen broke all records in most areas. This is similar to the floods of last year, which were considered to be a one-in-150-year event, or greater, in terms of severity. However, it is not the case that we should merely accept that these were extreme conditions and move on. We must learn lessons, as we did last year with regard to the gritting of roads. Although, in conjunction with the water problems, there were severe difficulties on the roads again this year, local authorities had a much better programme for the distribution of grit. Even though they ran low on salt at one stage, they distributed grit to the more isolated areas for use by local communities, which was a great help.

The same lessons will be learned from the experiences with water shortages and the major disruption that took place. It has identified a number of problems that existed. In recent years, there was a poor level of compliance with building regulations which has been highlighted by the way in which new estates were affected. I found it particularly difficult to see housing estates that were built in the last five, six or seven years being left completely without water because the contractor failed to submerge the piping or stopcocks at the required level. Clearly, therefore, there was a poor follow-up by surveyors and engineers, which must be addressed.

I suppose, however, that there is no point in looking back and blaming anyone. We must look to the future and to investment in particular. In fairness to him, the Minister has had a programme under way for some time. I am thankful for the way he has provided grant aid to replace the old water pipe network in Ennis, which has been there for a century or more. The network has got to the point where it springs leaks even without any extreme weather conditions. That kind of grant aid programme is important and must continue to be rolled out.

In addition, we will have to find some way of reviewing water networks that have been laid much more recently, particularly in housing estates that are about to be, or have been, taken over by local authorities. We will have to incentivise households to address this problem in conjunction with providing treated water. The cost of treating recycled water is outrageous, given its end use. We will have to introduce incentivised programmes in this regard. As we have done with installation aid, we will have to do the same for the collection of recycled water or rain water that can be used in housing estates as grey water for flushing toilets and using washing machines and dishwashers. All of that will greatly reduce the ultimate cost of treating water, which is a scarce resource. A significant investment programme is required for our entire water infrastructure. Since entering Government, the Minister has been focused and has done a lot in this respect.

To some extent, all parties in the House have shared the blame for the lack of investment in our water infrastructure over the decades. Successive Governments failed to act because the problem was buried in the ground. Once consumers had water and temperatures remained above freezing point, there was little political capital to be gained for rebuilding the water pipe network. Potholes are visible but a leak in a water pipe three or four feet underground is of no consequence to most people until the water dries up. I compliment the Minister on what he has succeeded in doing in that regard.

It would be remiss of me not to recognise the tremendous efforts made by local authority staff. Great efforts were made by staff of Clare County Council in putting emergency teams in place over the Christmas period. They include office staff who manned the telephone lines, in addition to engineers and workers who dealt with the leaks. Some people did not benefit to the extent that others did in getting their water reconnected quickly. Some suffered a more elongated period without water, but that was not the fault of local council staff who during the Christmas holidays put their shoulders to the wheel. They did their level best and the House should recognise the importance of public service in this respect.

See this speech in context