Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

When are the Taoiseach and his Government going to do something with Uisce Éireann? From the very initial constitution of that entity and the transposition of the infrastructure, the organisation never took over the combined sewers underneath and behind houses. Today, I speak about Cashel Road in Tipperary town. I mention the late Councillor Christy Kinahan, who is being buried tomorrow. A large number of older residents, living in houses that are up to 110 years old or even older, have a major problem with sewage and Irish Water will not look at it and will not go near it. The county council says it is an Uisce Éireann problem.

I have seen photographs and they are horrific. You would not see that amount of sewage in houses in a Third World country. Insurance companies talk about condemning the houses. This is not only happening in Tipperary town, it is happening in every town and in some villages in County Tipperary, and every place else. They have to go back to the drawing board. I introduced a Private Members' Bill to try and get the legislation changed. The same thing happened in England and the legislation was changed. Uisce Éireann must look after the infrastructure that was put in by the councils when these houses were built, in some places it was 100 or 200 years ago. There are old pipes underneath houses and extensions. Could someone please do something for the people who are in this situation?

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