John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

With respect, that is the same reply I received in 2023 and on several previous occasions prior to that. It is the same as the reply issued on 12 February this year. Will the Minister of State tell Irish Water that 3,300 customers are receiving water that is not just of poor quality; it is not usable? It is disgusting. I have received samples of the water in recent months to show me how bad it is. Will he ask Irish Water to prioritise and fast-track the scheme it is discussing such that it delivers a scheme that will solve the problem not just for now, but for the foreseeable future? That is the least that should be delivered for the people who live in that local community.

The Minister of State read the reply he was given. I have received that reply previously. It is frustrating that we have been receiving similar replies for ten years or more but there is no real delivery on the ground. There are constant complaints. It is a recurring problem. Irish Water knows what the issue is and where the new source should be, yet it is talking about planning for four to seven years or longer and so on. That cannot be accepted. I urge the Minister of State to go back to the Minister and tell him I am not raising this matter for the fun of it, or for publicity, as politicians are sometimes accused of doing. I am raising this issue to ensure delivery of a water system that is absolutely necessary for the local community. The system in place is not fit for purpose. Tinkering with the system and delaying it in terms of planning will not satisfy people. They deserve better. I am asking the Minister of State to, please, bring that message back to the Minister and insist on Uisce Éireann expediting the project to the point of delivery.

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