asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state the reason for the delay in advertising for the contract for the proposed Fethard regional water supply to serve the town of Killenaule and the village of Drangan; and if in view of the urgent need for the scheme he will cause an immediate inquiry to be made expediting matters.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fethard (Tipperary) Regional Water Supply.
My reply to the Deputy's previous question of the 3rd June, 1958, indicated that the original petition of December, 1956, for compulsory powers of acquisition of the water rights for this scheme was invalidated on account of a legal flaw in the petition.
Pursuant to a new petition, I have since made and confirmed a provisional Order giving the county council the powers which they required in respect of the water rights in question.
I understand that the county council is now endeavouring to acquire the necessary lands for intake, reservoirs, etc. If these cannot be obtained by agreement, it will be necessary for the council to apply for another provisional Order under a different statutory code from the Water Supplies Act, 1942, under which they obtained the water rights. In view of my statutory position in regard to the making and confirmation of such an Order, it would not be open to me to intervene in the local negotiations at this stage.