Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. However, there is a slight error in the information with which he was provided. The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government came to Roscommon in 2012 to announce funding for the water schemes in question. He announced them again in 2013. It does not make any difference who the Minister is in making the announcements. It is usual for six or seven announcements to be made over several years before something happens. Last year there were 40 boil water notices around the country. Next year and the year after, there will be other boil-water notices. The Minister has powers that can be - not shall be - used to ensure charges do not apply to consumers affected by these notices. The Minister of State said there should be no charge for someone who could not drink his or her water supply. I do not doubt his sincerity. However, this time next year this will still be an issue and he could be in the Cabinet or in some other Department and not giving a damn about Irish Water.

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