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Seanad
‹ Order of Business

Garryhinch reservoir

Summary

Senator John Whelan asks the Leader to bring the Environment Minister to the House and prioritise the Garryhinch reservoir, blaming longstanding infrastructure failures for Dublin’s water shortages.

The Minister can stop this.

Comment on this

I am calling for that. We have been raising the issue of water in this House for the past three years. It is not the fault of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government that Dublin has no water this week. It is the fault of the previous Government, which for years looked on and did nothing about vital infrastructure. It wanted to build the Bertie bowl instead of a reservoir. That is the problem. Fianna Fáil Members are now crying enough crocodile tears to fill a reservoir.

Comment on this
Paddy Burke An Cathaoirleach Fine Gael

Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

Comment on this

Will the Leader invite the Minister, Deputy Phil Hogan, to come to the House at the earliest opportunity in order that we can prioritise the construction of the Garryhinch reservoir? If this problem were to arise in January, Irish Water would be blamed. It is not to blame because this is a legacy issue. We have three CEOs, three Ministers and three State agencies with responsibility for water. We need to put one person in charge and build the Garryhinch reservoir. The only way we can do that is through an intervention by the Minister.

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