Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan, for being present to discuss this very important and pressing issue which has now become an issue of public health and safety in County Wicklow. What started off nearly three months ago with a small number of houses in Kilpedder not being able to access a regular supply of water has now extended to literally thousands of people in County Wicklow being unable to access a water supply. Local media reports today have said there will not be a regular supply of water available to these homes for months or even into the foreseeable future. There is a complete confusion and lack of clarity as to what the problem is, not to mention there being any solution to it.

It seems Dublin City Council is responsible for this water supply. I am worried that it is showing less concern for the people of Wicklow than it might for the people of Dublin if they were affected. Cancer patients are living in houses without a water supply and people with babies have had no water for 14 days. This cannot continue. It is affecting people in Kilmacanogue, Kilpedder, Enniskerry, Newcastle and Delgany.

While I would not normally raise an issue such as this in the Dáil, because it is a matter for the local authorities to resolve in the first instance, considering that it has not been resolved at local authority level, it is important the Minister asks his Department to intervene, to bang heads together, to tell us the truth about the problem as there seems to be much rumour and speculation and, most important, to put in place a solution and demand that Dublin City Council meets Wicklow County Council to find a solution and to give a timeframe for it.

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