Ann Graves (Dublin Fingal East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Uisce Éireann has to become more accountable to the public it serves. A constituent of mine, an old-age pensioner, is owed money by Uisce Éireann since last November, when she paid Dyno-Rod, a private company, to clear an urgent problem that was the responsibility of Uisce Éireann because she could not wait for it to act. The cost was €190, a substantial amount of money, particularly for an old age pensioner struggling to pay her bills, and it was taken from the savings she had built up for Christmas. The woman was so frustrated with Uisce Éireann's lack of response that she contacted me to try to get the matter resolved. I contacted it on her behalf and it promised that a response would be provided within ten days. I got the response and the refund was approved in writing by Uisce Éireann to my office on 19 March. I got in touch with the constituent. She was delighted and was looking forward to receiving her money but up to today, she still has not been reimbursed. I had to get back on to Uisce Éireann in another attempt to get it to repay the money. This is no way to do business. It is unacceptable.

Another important issue in my constituency is the water treatment plant in Swords, which was upgraded a couple of years ago. It was a very welcome development as it had been a source of ongoing issues for residents. Unfortunately, in recent months, foul odours have again been coming from the plant. This has impacted greatly on local residents and the Fingallians GAA club.

The club is right beside the treatment plant. When games and training sessions take place the coaches, parents and players are all affected by the smells coming from the plant. My colleague, Councillor John Smyth, asked Fingal County Council to request a report from Uisce Éireann, which it did. Months later, we are still waiting on the report.

There are many other examples of Uisce Éireann neglecting to deal with upgrades, for example, to the pumping station at Knocksedan in Swords where raw sewage was spilling into the estate and the Delvin river in the Naul, which is polluted. It is all due to lack of capacity.

I am aware that investment has been promised but our estuaries and waters need protection from pollution now. Will the Minister of State get a timeframe from Uisce Éireann for when it will deal with the major issues relating to water affecting residents in Dublin Fingal East?

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