asked the Minister for the Environment whether he is aware that, in the area of County Dublin, householders are made responsible for the maintenance of water pipes outside their premises and underlying the public roadway, even in cases where such pipes are damaged by the passage of traffic over which they have no control; and whether he has any proposals for adjusting this situation to accord with common justice.

I am aware that property owners, including householders, have responsibility for the maintenance of service water pipes and I appreciate that these responsibilities can be a cause of hardship to individuals in circumstances such as those mentioned by the Deputy. I am having the situation examined in the light of a recent Dublin case with a view to establishing what action may be appropriate to avoid hardship in the future.