Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am raising this issue not because of water charges but because people will be subject to a boil water notice for two years. It is very fair to say that when there was cryptosporidium contamination in the Terryland and Lough Corrib areas of Galway, steps were taken to deal with it. However, I cannot understand why it will take to years to deal with a very serious situation. I have given the example of a family whose members have been very ill.

I noted what the Minister of State said about Lough Mask. I heard the Taoiseach himself refer to this when questioned here in the Dáil.

Lough Mask supplies the water to Ballyhaunis, County Mayo, which is 20 km from Williamstown. There is a lot of work to be done to get the water as far as Williamstown. In fairness to the people in that area, there should be an opportunity to provide water for Williamstown in a far shorter time.

I hope I have highlighted the information that Irish Water and the HSE have given on the seriousness of the position. I have told the Minister of State, Deputy Ann Phelan, what they have stated water cannot be used for, and it is a major concern. I hope that we will learn more from the officials of Irish Water on Friday when they visit the treatment plant in Williamstown and when they go to Lough Mask to show what is available there.

This is a most serious situation. The Tuam Heraldhighlighted today that the people in Williamstown will get a chance to get more detail on this. I hope Irish Water can give us a more short-term solution.

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