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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation

Irish Water notice in Rathkeale

Summary

A Deputy sought an update on the boil-water style notice affecting Rathkeale and asked for clearer public communications. The Tánaiste said his office would relay the concern to Irish Water and expected the company to respond.

Page 38 of the programme for Government addresses economic infrastructure development and Irish Water. Last Friday a "Do not drink" notice was issued to 2,500 costumers in Rathkeale and the surrounding areas of County Limerick due to the increased turbidity in the raw water supply. Work is ongoing on this. I would be grateful if Irish Water could furnish us with a comprehensive update and timeline on this matter. Updates are posted on the Irish Water website but I would prefer if they were a lot more frequent. Moreover, I would like specific times and locations to be announced for the delivery of tanker water in addition to the deliveries that have taken place in Knockaderry and Rathkeale. Last Friday night we were given to expect that bottled water would be distributed on Friday evening. That changed at 10.30 p.m. or 11 p.m. on Friday. Obviously many people, who were ready to collect water, were disgruntled. If we are to learn from this incident, this process should be streamlined. I understand that emergencies happen, but when something like this happens the way we react and communicate with the public has an ongoing effect. That created a fear factor among the public over the weekend, and we need to correct this. I would be grateful if Irish Water could issue an update on the matter.

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Simon Coveney The Tánaiste Fine Gael

I will make sure my office relays that concern to Irish Water in order to improve its communication. To be fair, Irish Water is usually pretty good at this stuff and works very closely with local authorities to make sure communities are informed. I am sure the company will respond to the criticism accordingly.

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That concludes questions on promised legislation. We managed to accommodate everyone. I thank Deputies for the brevity of their questions and answers.

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