Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for her response. Her statement is pretty similar to that in Cork Beo of 23 January; it just included fancy new words such as "coagulation, flocculation ... clarification [and] filtration system". When I previously had a response on this the filtration system and UV system were referenced. The previous excuse was that Irish Water was ordering a part. I remember saying that Irish Water, six years down the road, was ordering a part and if it went to wish.com or Early Express it would probably get the part faster. That is one point I wanted to make.

However, the biggest frustration I have when I represent the people of east Cork, especially in the Whitegate area and all the other areas I mentioned, is the lack of communication and information, in addition to the lack of empathy for people who are suffering. I do not like pitting people against each other but a major incident in Dublin can be sorted in a day, and emergency water supply can be sorted within two hours, yet we are seven years down the road on this issue and somebody has not even got a bottle of water from Irish Water, not to mind an apology. I have met people, and we have seen this in respect of the RTÉ scandal, who will not pay their television licence anymore. I suspect many of these businesses are now very frustrated with water rates because they are paying for something they are not getting.

I appeal to the Minister of State. I understand she is delivering the Minister's response. Her answer referenced the website and the 24-hour customer line. People do not actually get that information. When we knock on doors, we give people information leaflets. That is the old-style way. It is the way Uisce Éireann will have to go back to because parts of the area are very rural. I thank the Minister of State for taking this Topical Issue and the Ceann Comhairle for selecting it. As I said, however, it gives little solace to the people of east Cork. I hope not but, unfortunately, we will revisit this matter.

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