George Lawlor (Wexford, Labour)

I raise an issue affecting 11,000 customers in the Wexford area who are served by the Kilmallock Bridge water treatment plant. Based in Ballymurn, the plant supplies Castlebridge, Curracloe, Ballymurn, Crossabeg, Glenbrien, Screen and Oilgate. Last October, the Minister, Deputy Browne, and I attended the unveiling of two new treated water storage reservoirs and associated works. At that time, the programme manager for Uisce Éireann promised continuous provision of water. Since last October, there have been at least 16 outages. The problem is the continuous difficulties in the plant itself. The infrastructure outside the plant was provided in the form of reservoirs and improved associated works but the plant is quite old and requires major intervention. Will the Taoiseach speak to the relevant Minister about this to ensure the investment required in the plant is made so that the money spent on the reservoir, which was most welcome, is not wasted? As the Taoiseach can imagine, tourism in an area such as Curracloe will explode in the summer season. This is causing major difficulties and problems.

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