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

I do not wish to repeat what others have said but it is really important that we get on top of issues in the greater Dublin area, where the problem is predominant with some 1.2 million people affected. The Minister already mentioned Skerries and other places. The Minister has people's forbearance now; they are patient but if it continues into next week and the following week, there will be a serious problem. I ask him to look particularly at small businesses and those that rely on water such as barbers, hairdressers, coffee shops and restaurants, whose income will be badly affected. I also ask the Minister to prioritise emergency services. I am sure that is already the case but I want to emphasise that.

There must be an inventory of where the faults arise. I am not convinced by the argument that the Minister keeps trotting out that the pipes are on average 80 years old. There have been some significant investments in water infrastructure over the last 20 to 30 years, including in my own area of Fingal, and some of the problems we are experiencing relates to newer infrastructure. It is not simply due to old infrastructure. I ask the Minister to get a handle on the timeframe, to keep communicating with Members and we will do our best to assist where we can.

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