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

I wish to make some specific comments on charges and on the issue I raised on Tuesday evening last. Some 12 months ago I was given a commitment by the then Minister of State, Deputy O'Dowd, on his behalf and that of his officials, to the effect that people who have boil water notices in place will not be charged for their public water supplies. However, in the amendments he has tabled, the Minister, Deputy Kelly, is making provision for charges to be imposed on households whose members cannot drink water from their taps.

There is absolute and utter confusion among people in respect of this matter. The Minister previously gave assurances to the House that the lifting of boil water notices in County Roscommon was imminent. However, that is not the case. As I pointed out to him on Tuesday night last, members of the north-east Roscommon regional water supply scheme will be obliged to wait until March 2017 to have those notices lifted. The reason for this is that Irish Water has made a policy decision not to install temporary treatment plants pending the upgrade of the supply. Boil water notices relating to the north-east Roscommon regional water supply scheme could be lifted within three months if Irish Water committed to putting such a plant in place. To add to the confusion that already exists, I received briefing documents from both Irish Water and Roscommon County Council last month. The document from the council indicates that the boil water notice in Castlerea will be lifted in April 2014, while Irish Water's document indicates that this will happen in March. The council's document also indicates that the boil water notice relating to the Killeglan water supply will be lifted in May 2015, while Irish Water's document indicates that it will be March when the notice is lifted. Both documents state that the notice relating to Boyle, County Roscommon, will be lifted in March. There is utter confusion in respect of this matter.

It is wrong that from 1 January next until the early part of 2017, households in County Roscommon that are connected to public sewers will be obliged to pay water charges. The only way we can ensure that there is an incentive for Irish Water to prioritise the lifting of boil water notices is if the company sustains a financial hit in this regard. I put forward this argument last December, both in the House - when it was accepted by the Minister's predecessor - and to the regulator. However, the people to whom I refer are going to be sent bills by Irish Water from spring of next year.

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