Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I ask the Leader for a debate in the House on Uisce Éireann. It is a gripe of mine. I am not denigrating the authority, but there are issues with its capacity, financial support and ability to deal with the demands for water from our ever-growing population. In my lifetime, there has been substantial building of houses and apartments. I have come to Dublin since I was a student; I will not say for how many years but it is in excess of 40. There have been major developments in Dublin. Does Uisce Éireann have the capacity and reservoirs to deal with the growing demand and population of the country? I am saying this in a positive way. Is there sufficient Government funding to enable Uisce Éireann to deal with capacity?

There are constant breakages. Week in, week out, there are notices about breakages, delays and whatever else in the water supply in the Clonakilty area of west Cork. That is not good enough in this day and age. Uisce Éireann, perhaps through no fault of its own, cannot keep pace with the current development in Ireland. I am saying this in a balanced way. My home town is Bantry. I have recent experience of visiting family who live there. The quality of the water coming through the taps is far from good. I would not drink it. There are many issues with the supply of water by Uisce Éireann to the citizens of Ireland. I do not think it has enough manpower or funding behind it. The Government and the Department that deals with Uisce Éireann should take a good look at this. We will go into a cul-de-sac in terms of water. It is a simple, basic need for people. Bearing in mind the volume of water that falls in Ireland, we should make a better fist of this resource.