Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is important that the capacity of councillors and other public representatives to make representation on behalf of the public should be recognised in law. In fact, there should be a requirement that all such representations be answered within 14 days or, at worst, 21 days. Local authorities have had an important role historically in dealing with water services. I met a man in the butcher's shop last Saturday who was very angry because his water supply had been cut off for three or four days. His first thought was to contact the council, not the CER or anybody else. County councillors and Oireachtas Members should be entitled, where there is a serious water supply issue, to make appropriate representations. This amendment is a fair and reasonable provision and I hope the Minister of State will accept it.