I understand that over 100 small and large estates have been taken in charge by Leitrim County Council over the past eight years, some of which were in an unfinished state. I compliment the planning department of the local authority on working with developers in some cases and, in many others, on its own, albeit with the support of the Department of housing. I understand that only five estates have had their water and wastewater infrastructure taken in charge by Uisce Éireann. Despite the best efforts of the council, there seems to be an unwillingness by Uisce Éireann to play its part. Meanwhile, many residents in these housing estates have been left in limbo. Local authorities are becoming more and more frustrated, as they no longer have their own water and wastewater sections. Will the Government review this situation and ask Uisce Éireann to step up to the plate and work with local authorities in taking housing estates in charge?

I thank the Deputy and appreciate the compliments he articulated in respect of the local authority being co-operative and proactive in terms of taking in charge unfinished estates. Where positive comments are made in respect of the performance of a local authority, that needs to be said, rather than just criticisms.

I take the Deputy's point. We need to review the interaction between Uisce Éireann and local authorities. While I understand on one level Uisce Éireann's focus on large conurbations, the bottom line is that the entire country needs to be serviced as well. That is part of the remit that local authorities, prior to the formation of Uisce Éireann, had and initiated. We have to examine the entire area again.