James Bannon (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, to the House and thank him for taking this matter concerning the pressing need for his Department to provide accelerated investment in the Longford central water supply and other areas in the county in which chronic water supply problems are being encountered on a daily basis. Any community, especially a rural business and farming community, is entitled to a reliable and plentiful supply of water without interruption or supply interference.

While I am aware that some of the problems being experienced in County Longford will be addressed in schemes included in the water services investment programme 2004 to 2006, the Department may not be aware of the urgent need for immediate funding and action in this regard. Water shortages in and around Longford town are causing severe disruption to people in the county. They occur for a number of reasons, including increased demand versus supply capacity, excessive bursts on public mains due to aged network and inadequate storage and reservoir capacity. From 29 August 2004 to 2 September 2004, Longford County Council had to contend with a sequence of events which resulted in customers experiencing severe disruptions of supply. On 29 August, the water supply was turned off at night to conserve supply. On 30 August, the Prucklish reservoir was empty due to a suspected burst in the Newtownforbes area but the council was unable to locate the problem due to consumption and lack of water. This problem affected the Newtownforbes, Aughadegnan, Clonbalt Woods Lismore group water scheme and high areas in Edgeworthstown.

On 31 August, the council located and fixed a significant burst and most of the Newtownforbes area was restored but the water was turned off at night. On 1 and 2 September, there was a major burst under the railway at Lamagh due to Iarnród Éireann constraints where Longford County Council encountered significant engineering problems. It repaired the section and re-routed supply to Aughadegnan and Clonbalt Woods and Newtownforbes GAA grounds. On 2 September, the council restored supply to all other areas.

During this period several other bursts were located and repaired. These measures were taken over a few days. The problems continue every day of the year and such remedial actions are merely isolated measures in an attempt to keep the countywide system operating until funding is provided to tackle the problem in its entirety. Longford County Council does not have the funds to rectify its water supply problems, which it has outlined in its assessment of needs for the capital investment programme.

Funding from the Minister of State's Department is essential to allow the council to undertake schemes which cannot be ignored in the interest of an essential water supply. The council needs to carry out a strategic review of the Longford central regional scheme which will address all the problems of the scheme and propose solutions. Following on from this review, essential works must be undertaken with urgency. We are all concerned about the quality of drinking water and the onus is on the State to provide a pure and wholesome water supply for all its citizens.

In Longford that provision is sadly lacking and the antiquated network and inadequate reservoir capacity is depriving people throughout the county of a very basic right. I must ask the Minister of State to clarify his Department's position on funding for this important venture. Perhaps he will give me a positive response because there are grave concerns about this issue. Before I came into the House tonight I received three telephone calls about other problems in the north Longford area, specifically the Moyne and Leggah area and the Newtowncashel area in south County Longford. The problem is widespread throughout the county and it is important that it be addressed as soon as possible.