asked the Minister for Defence if he will state the reasons why the water supply has been cut off from the inhabitants of Finner in the neighbourhood of the Finner Camp.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Finner Water Supply.
The Finner Camp pumping machinery was closed down for the winter season in October last on the withdrawal of the battalions which had occupied the Camp during the summer training season, and since then the local residents affected continue to obtain water from a well within the Camp area.
The expense of working the pumping plant during the winter season, including the employment of a skilled attendant, would not be justified by the small revenue of £3 a year derivable from the dozen local residents who use the standpipe on the roadside boundary of the Camp.
Is the Minister aware that the camp was closed for a much longer period when the British Army occupied it, that a similar amount of money was paid, and that these people had the use of the tap on the roadside with the minimum of expense to the Government? If the Minister is satisfied that the tank is in order, if it is filled it will last the winter. If it is out of order it will not last. Will the Minister have the tank put in order and filled?
I do not know about the British Government getting the same amount of money that we get. I have a note here stating: "Difficulty has been experienced by the Department of Defence in recovering arrears of this water-rate which have accumulated since 1922." I do not know whether the British Government had that same difficulty. Anyway, I think the Ballyshannon Town Commissioners had a proposal before them last November with the object of their undertaking the working of the pumping station pending the re-opening of the camp for summer training. No reply has yet been received from the Commissioners.
Is the Minister serious in putting such a proposition to Town Commissioners who have no jurisdiction over the area, and expect a reply?
Is the Deputy serious in suggesting that the Army Vote should be spent in providing water for the Army in a place where the Army is not?
Seriously, neither of these statements is a question.
The Minister has asked me a question. I am serious in saying that I do not think these people should be any more harshly treated by their own Government than they were treated by a foreign Government for the last 30 years in providing them with water all the year round.
If the people will provide somebody to work the pump they can have it.
If the Minister would send a plumber there for one day the question would be solved.