Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

What householders in the area affected, including Dunboyne, Kilcloon and rural Ashbourne in my constituency, want to know is why when dirty water entered the system on Monday the boil water notice was issued on Tuesday evening? That is the issue. People will accept a boil water notice if it is necessary for the protection of their health.

The Minister said that the problem identified last March was meant to be fixed. That is not reassuring. I presume he has been advised by Irish Water about this. We are talking about the health, safety and lives of the citizens. A problem with dirty water affects them. The Minister said the problem was meant to be fixed but he need to go back to Irish Water as soon as possible to clarify the position. It is extremely worrying if that is the way repairs are dealt with in our water system. It is not like me meaning to fix a leak in my car which might not do any damage to anybody except cause an inconvenience to me or mean I use more fuel.

If the water system needs to be fixed to ensure people have safe drinking water that has to happen, and a system and people need to be in place to make sure that happens. I want to know why it took 24 hours for the boil water note to be issued and I would like more information on the events that happened earlier this year.

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