Liam Quaide (Cork East, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I want to raise the long-standing issue of the water supply and water pressure in Ballyhooly, County Cork. Over the years, residents there have had to deal with extremely low water pressure and, at times, a non-existent supply of water, for prolonged periods. This has been affecting residents in nearly aspect of their daily lives. When water pressure is low, people cannot shower, bathe or cook or use dishwashers or washing machines. Toilets do not fill or flush and gas heating systems are affected. This means that people are at times left without heat and hot water. Families with young children, pensioners, people with chronic health conditions, local businesses, the farming community and schools are all massively impacted. My colleagues in the Fermoy municipal district have been advocating very strongly on behalf of residents by striving to have the antiquated piping system replaced. Unfortunately, all of us have been coming up against a brick wall when it comes to Uisce Éireann. We have had nothing so far except short-term fixes, so I urge the Minister to rectify this and ensure that funding for a definitive resolution of Ballyhooly's water issues is provided for under a national programme.

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