Athlone water supply outages
Deputy Troy said Athlone businesses and families were suffering from repeated night-time shut-offs and no planned plant upgrade. After procedural interventions, the Tánaiste said he would ensure the Minister replied directly and that water services statements the following week would allow further debate.
In recent weeks the House debated the failure of Irish Water to provide a service for the 600,000 people affected by the boil water notice. I wish to highlight, not for the first time, another failure of Irish Water. In Athlone town the water supply has been turned off more often at night than it has been on in the last quarter. This is having a devastating effect on people who are trying to run businesses and parents who are trying to rear their families. The council has been advised that there is no plan to upgrade the treatment plant in the next three years. I have raised this matter twice on the Order of Business and been assured that the relevant Minister will get back to me directly, but that has not happened.
Comment on this
What will the Government do to ensure the people of Athlone and the wider area will be guaranteed a continuous water supply, not in three years' time but now?
Comment on this
The Deputy has asked me about this issue before. I told him that I would get the Minister responsible to respond to him directly. If that has not happened, I will make sure it is done today. I understand we will have statements in the House on water services the week after next, which will give the Deputy an opportunity to express his concerns. In the meantime, I will get the Minister to contact him today, if I can.