Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)

I cannot because the process is only at the initial stages. A case for the mains rehabilitation works in the Adrigole area is currently under consideration by Uisce Éireann. It has not made a determination on that. Only when it makes a determination on that will it be possible to move forward with a timeframe. The frequency of bursts is taken into consideration when it prioritises water main rehabilitation projects. We have outlined that there have been 18 bursts in a short period of time. That will be taken into consideration.

It also needs to be taken into consideration that Uisce Éireann has said that this situation has stabilised since 31 October and there has been what it describes as "a noticeable easing off in the frequency of bursts."

From an initial perspective, we want to reduce and mitigate bursts and Uisce Éireann is working to do that. Taking a longer term approach, it wants to do rehabilitation works on that line. That is something it is now considering doing. When it has made a decision that, it will come back and let public representatives, including councillors, know it had made that decision. I am sure I will be in a position to update the Deputy on timeframes at that point.

The Deputy stated in his initial remarks that the county council has said that it is not possible to take motions that refer to Uisce Éireann and I am quite surprised by that. That is not the standard approach in local authorities up and down the country. I would certainly encourage the Deputy to speak to Councillor Collins and maybe suggest that he take that up with one of the representative bodies, Local Authorities Members Association, LAMA, or the Association of Irish Local Government, AILG, as that needs to be sorted as well.

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