Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I know she contacted my office yesterday but, unfortunately, I was in Cork city dealing with a number of issues. Once I got back, I met with the chief executive of Irish Water to raise the issues she quite rightly put forward. There has been confusion on a number of points and I raised those with Irish Water. On foot of my discussions with the company, I can confirm that monitoring equipment is in place at Barndarrig. Irish Water expects to lift the water notice, potentially within the next week or ten days. Irish Water has secured €100,000 to do the capital works that will be required to put in the equipment to prevent and reduce nitrite levels in the water. That work will be commissioned and up and running within eight weeks. We have applied significant pressure to ensure those problems are alleviated for the residents who have been impacted. I apologise to the people of Barndarrig who have had to endure these notices since 9 February, which is a long time ago. It is frustrating for residents and vulnerable people to be going through this.

I understand that Irish Water will use the reservoir and not the treatment plant until the capital equipment is in place. It is possible to top-up the reservoir and ensure the water is safe and fit for human consumption. When the capital infrastructure is in place, which will happen within the next two months, it will treat the water, going forward. I hope those responses from Irish Water will be to the Deputy's satisfaction. Representatives of Irish Water will make themselves available to meet her next week and will arrange a date for that meeting to go through these points. I can understand the frustration she has expressed during the two Topical Issue debates we have had on the matter. I expect the issue to be resolved imminently.

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