Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will try not to change that. Like my colleagues, I recognise fully, respect and thank all of those workers who worked diligently over the last week or so as well as those who are working now to get our water supply back up and running. This needs a whole-of-Government approach. I was struck during Storm Emma by the number of Ministers who joined the Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, who was rightly there, at the national co-ordination group to stand beside him on television and be part of the news and information which was very important and, in the main, accurate. I want to ensure now that the Minister will not be left on his own in circumstances where that whole-of-Government approach is required.

I support Deputy Curran completely. In my own area of Dublin Fingal, thousands of people face water restrictions. Their frustration is about information. For example, I have had a number of complaints from people in Skerries where a notice of low water pressure has in fact meant zero supply. Information is key so that people can plan. Timeframes are needed. I was concerned when I heard on the radio this morning that this situation may carry on for a number of weeks. We need to get an idea of the work that needs to be done to re-establish a full supply and an indication of how long it will take. I ask the Minister not to forget our emergency services, particularly Dublin Fire Brigade. I am sure he will not. I have had requests from the fire brigade service in my constituency for additional water tankers just in case the supply is cut off unexpectedly. In fairness, I acknowledge how responsive Irish Water and Fingal County Council were when I requested that a water tanker be located at Swords fire station earlier today. The station covers an area the size of a city.

We want to work with the Minister and all agencies to ensure the water supply is reestablished as quickly as possible. I ask the Minister to address the timeframe for the full restoration of the supply in Dublin and other parts of the country.

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