Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I was not going to speak on the issue of cancer. I spoke on it yesterday regarding the lack of accountability and the need for accountability at the top management level of the HSE. After listening to the extraordinary interview this morning on "Morning Ireland", we need to look at that issue again. Accountability is very much required at the top of the HSE. We need to look at the issue of confidence in the HSE as a people and as a Chamber. It was a frightening interview. Anyone who has a wife or kids would feel it is the big issue at which we have to look.The confidence is not there. We have to grasp the nettle and deal with these issues in the short term.

I intended to raise an issue mundane in comparison, namely, the lack of ESB power in my part of the world over the past six to eight months. We have experienced at least seven power outages affecting large parts of Carrigaline, Minane Bridge and Nohoval, with some almost reaching Kinsale. Yesterday, the power was out again, as it was last Sunday for three hours. ESB has a Third World network in parts of the country and that needs to be addressed. It is an issue that the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment must be aware of in order that he does something to ensure people have continuous electric power. It is a basic service in this day and age and it is bizarre that there have been seven outages in this part of the world since last November. This needs to be brought to the attention of the Minister and ESB Networks to ensure we do not continue to experience these outages going forward. It affects the credibility of our tourism industry and it also has a damaging affect on our agricultural industry and on householders who had no power for three hours on a Sunday of a bank holiday weekend. The Minister needs to talk to ESB Networks to get something done.