Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

Would that all debates were so well focused, for which I thank the Senators. Senator Ryan had a specific query with regard to water services and pipes. I agree with him on this matter. As domestic pipes in urban areas were laid in the 19th century, local authorities do not have a clue as to their location. Section 49 deals specifically with this point in that it provides that local authorities, in due course, must make a proper mapping of all pipes. One of the critical issues to be addressed is that of water leaking from pipes, which also increases the risk of contamination of the supply. The mapping of pipes is a sine qua non. By way of illustration of the significance of that problem, when we were in Galway discussing taking water from Tuam into Galway, I was amazed to be informed by officials that up to 70% of the water going through the piping system in Tuam town was being lost through wastage. We have provided €240 million which has been set aside to deal with this problem of leakage. Dublin City Council is doing an amazing job and ten contractors will re-pipe 240 km over the course of this summer and later this year. I wish them well because it is necessary.