Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this important issue for discussion tonight and the Minister of State for being here. This is a familiar issue which is frustrating for residents and business owners in the area of Duleek, Donore and surrounding areas. The issue is creaking water infrastructure leading to water bursts all too frequently. They are unscheduled and in many cases are for many hours. It happened as recently as yesterday, the day before, ten days before that, and the day before that. It is a pattern like that. It has a real impact on businesses, hairdressers, shops, cafés, coffee shops, delicatessens, large industry, small and medium enterprises, medically-vulnerable households and kids. Parents were in contact with me about newborn twins on St. Patrick's Day. The burst caused a flood in individual residences, flooding the house and garage, and everything that goes with that.

I am sure some of the Minister of State's response will refer to the investment plan that exists. I acknowledge that. In the past, I have raised other issues in County Meath and they have successfully been progressed, for example, in Ashbourne and Ratoath. I know there are ongoing works for the improvement of the line between Duleek and Navan, for example. I know there is a commitment to improve the line between Stalleen and Windmill Hill reservoir, which the Minister of State will probably refer to. My concern is that it is at a very early stage. It is a large 18-km project and a major commitment to it is needed. The Government, the Department and Uisce Éireann need to look at the phasing of that. It is clear that what is happening at the minute is that the water infrastructure and the mains between Stalleen and Duleek are creaking. I have colleagues and friends who are forensically familiar with the network. They will say that whole pipe, in that whole field, has been completely replaced because there have been so many bursts and the bursts just keep moving up the pipe. A patch-up job is happening and every patch-up leads to another burst and so on. It is frustrating for businesses, households, residents and everybody concerned.

My specific ask on behalf of the community is that this project be identified as a priority, funded and fast-tracked for delivery. I am suggesting that this would involve phasing of it whereby this is not one single project which is 18 km long. There are proposals from Uisce Éireann. There is a way to phase this such that its delivery could be fast-tracked. I believe that is needed. I know there is a commitment from the Government in respect of the climate and infrastructure fund and the review of the national development plan. That is what is needed here.

See this speech in context