David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his response. Perhaps he will clarify in his final remarks the statement he made that the water charges plan sets out a comprehensive mechanism when water quality is compromised or unfit for human consumption, such as when boil water and drinking water restrictions apply. My understanding is that any compensation or changes only apply to business customers, not to households. The whole thrust of the debate this evening was to encourage the Minister and Government to consider making funding available so people can get some level of compensation. This has been going on since 2016. The Minister of State and everyone here will appreciate the time-consuming nature of this entire process, particularly for households with dependent individuals, whether they be children, older people or people with disabilities. Safe water must never be a luxury. It is a foundation of basic and healthy everyday life.

I previously asked that four areas be acted upon, including the need to deal with the cost to householders, which is important. It is also important to recognise there is a huge inconvenience in this case. Irish Water must be directed to ensure that people are reminded on a regular basis of the boil water notice. There are no signs up anywhere. If somebody new moves into the area, they have no idea there is a boil water notice in place. Another area is the need to engage with Irish Water to see if anything can be done to rectify the problem before the end of 2025. I will be gone from the House; the Minister of State may also be gone. Who knows? The Ceann Comhairle will probably still be here. It is amazing that it takes that long. Another area is greater openness on Irish Water's part to engage with public representatives. I suggested that Irish Water should make itself available to local municipal district meetings and explain to councillors what is going on and what its plan is to rectify this. There has been very little improvement in these areas since I brought this up last December. The Irish Water website has not been updated to give people information either.

It will take until 2025, yet it has been going on since 2016, which is almost ten years. Perhaps we should bring the Chinese over to get the job done; they seem to get work like this done in months. This is becoming urgent. At the very least, householders should be compensated for the added costs on their livelihoods as we cannot ease their hardship, it seems, before 2025.

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