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

My parish priest, Father Frank Herron, is from Deputy McGinley's community. He would verify everything I say because I always tell the truth in here. I am not afraid to make the point that people are still telling me they were left without water for several days. I hope the county manager in Tallaght does not think I am saying anything different because there was a positive response from his staff who were on duty fairly quickly after the Christmas holidays. As Deputy Gogarty said, they sent us informative data almost immediately telling us what the difficulties were. In case people think the problems are over, however, myself, Deputy Gogarty and others in south Dublin received a memo only last evening telling us there will be more restrictions. Following a review of the situation throughout the Dublin region, South Dublin County Council will be reducing water restrictions every second night for the next six nights. For example, there will be serious restrictions tonight and major works will be carried out in Greenhills in my constituency tomorrow. The problem has not gone away even though the weather has stabilised.

Oireachtas Members are meeting with the South Dublin County Council county manager, Mr. Joe Horan, on Monday. One of the things I will bring to his attention is the need to be better prepared for the next adverse weather event. We do not know whether it will happen this spring or next winter, but we must be prepared. This is about dealing with the concerns of communities whose inhabitants feel they should be able to access water at all times. I agree that as far as possible we should conserve water. We need to be clear and positive about that. Is the Ceann Comhairle indicating that I must finish?

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