Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party) | Oireachtas source

It is all very well what the Taoiseach has said and the commitment he has given. I am asking for a commitment in respect of the €500 million Irish Water has asked for to start developing the system. The Taoiseach will be aware of the news today that 33 samples of manganese have been found in water in Cork city. Manganese is at an unacceptable level there. I have just poured into the glass in front of me a sample of water from Cork city. This is what it looks like. That is what is coming out of the taps on the northside of the city. It is unacceptable to say the Government will try to do something to make it better. I challenge the Taoiseach or any other Member of this House to drink this water. I will not drink it. There are elderly people around Cork city who cannot see and do not know what is coming out of their tap. Consider trying to bathe a child in this water. What the Taoiseach is saying today might sound good but no action is being taken. My constituents - fellow Corkonians - are suffering.

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