asked the Minister for Defence if he will state the date on which the work of renewal or repair of the watermain to Haulbowline was handed over to the Office of Public Works; and what directions were issued as to what was to be done to ensure that there would be no further break in the supply.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Watermain to Haulbowline.
28.
Following necessary investigations of a technical nature into the possible causes of the abnormal deterioration of the bolts and nuts on the joints of the existing cast iron submarine water main and correspondence and discussions with representatives of the Office of Public Works, it was finally agreed on 19 Deireadh Fómhair, 1959, that the Office of Public Works could best deal with the major repair or replacement of the main. As a result of the correspondence and discussions referred to the Office of Public Works were fully conversant with all the facts and it was not necessary to issue any special directions to them as to what was required.
Is the Minister aware that it is now nearly 15 months since the pipeline burst? The condition of the bolts connecting the pipeline was such as to make it clear to anybody that there was no hope of repair work having any success. As a matter of fact I brought some of the bolts up and handed them over to the Minister; and his Department has been dodging about with this matter from January last right up to October.
Did the Deputy get the bolts back?
Does the Minister consider it either fair or just that the livelihood of some 600 people working in Haulbowline should be dodged about with in his Department?
I am aware that the pipeline is in a bad condition and that its replacement is a matter of urgency. It is being dealt with by the Office of Public Works as a matter of urgency.
In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply, I propose, with your permission, to raise this matter on the adjournment.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.