asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he has received the plans for a supplementary water supply for Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon; and, if so, when the local authority will receive his approval for the undertaking of this most urgent work.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ballaghaderreen Water Supply.
Plans were received on the 23rd instant. Whilst their examination will be undertaken as quickly as possible, I may say that at present difficulty is experienced in obtaining pumping machinery for public health works.
Does the Minister realise that during a large part of last summer this town had no water at all and that already, in this early part of the year, shortages have occurred, and will he direct the authorities to bear that urgent consideration in mind when dealing with the scheme that has been laid before his Department?
I shall, but I would like again to emphasise that this scheme is a proposal for pumping, filtering and chlorinating water and the main difficulty that we anticipate there will be the question of getting the necessary plant.
Does the Minister appreciate the fact that should his approval be given to the plan, subject to the ability of the local authority to get the machinery, the local authority will set about that task forthwith and, if it proves impossible, will immediately turn to an alternative scheme based on gravity, whereas if this plan incorporating a public plan is retained in his Department for six or eight months, all action in regard to this emergency will be suspended and the new departure based on gravity will not be embarked upon until his final decision has been obtained in regard to this proposal? That is the urgency of my submission.
Is the Minister aware that the same condition exists in Claremorris?
That is a separate question, relating as it does, to a separate town.