asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state the cause of the delay in providing a water supply scheme for the residents of Stradbally, County Laoighis, and if he will also state the approximate cost already incurred by the county board of health concerned in respect of legal and engineering fees since the proposal was first put forward.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Stradbally Water Supply.
As regards the first part of the question, I informed the Deputy in reply to a question on the 30th October last that approval was given by my Department to the plans in January, 1941, when it appeared likely that the water rights would be acquired by agreement at a reasonable amount. Since then requests were made to the board of health as to the progress made in the acquisition of the rights. The latest information which was received on the 28th ultimo is that so far as engineering details were concerned a settlement had been reached and that the agreement is under consideration by the solicitors for the interested parties. As regards the latter part of the question there is no information in the Department regarding the legal and engineering fees which have so far been incurred in relation to the scheme.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that any engineering difficulties which were supposed to exist at the time were cleared up in January, 1941, that the price for the rights to be acquired for the purpose was agreed on at the same time, and that the commissioner administering the affairs of the county concerned promised a deputation from the local parish council that this scheme would be in operation in the early part of 1941? Can it be a fact that the delay which has since taken place is due to legal difficulties in connection with the acquisition of the land and of the rights to be acquired? Does the Parliamentary Secretary stand over the delay which has occurred in this case?
Quite. It has been impossible to reach agreement as to the water rights involved, apart altogether from the engineering difficulties that have arisen.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary say that these difficulties exist at the moment?
Not at the moment. We were informed, as I stated in my reply to the Deputy's question, on the 28th ultimo that the engineering difficulties had been adjusted.
Is it not a fact that the engineering difficulties had been adjusted as far back as January, 1941?
I am not aware of that.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary make inquiries to ascertain the cause of the delay?
Certainly.
Will he, in view of the dissatisfaction which exists amongst the people of the district concerned, make inquiries as to the real cause of the delay in this case? Is he not aware that a public meeting of ratepayers passed a resolution that they would not pay any more rates unless or until a more satisfactory explanation was given to them regarding the delay in this case?