Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 960: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the enormous hardship and inconvenience caused to the residents of Stamullen, County Meath, in March 2006, when they were without water for six days; if he will instigate a public local inquiry into the long delay in restoring water supply to the residents, as he is empowered to do under section 212 of the Local Government Act 2001, to ensure that there is no recurrence in Stamullen or elsewhere; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14572/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Local authorities are responsible for the operation and maintenance of public water supply systems. I understand that the supply problem in this case was caused by a major pipe burst and that, in the course of locating and remedying the leak, Meath County Council maintained contact with affected consumers by means of leaflet drops and local radio, supplied drinking water in tankers to consumers with supply interruptions and subsequently provided advice to consumers on remedying airlocks. On the basis of this information, it is not considered that a case exists for a public inquiry into the council's handling of this incident. Section 212 of the Local Government Act 2001 has yet to be commenced.