asked the Minister for Local Government what progress has been made up to the present in the Clonmel Regional Water Scheme; and whether in view of the present inadequacy of the water supply in the Clonmel region he will take steps to ensure that this scheme will be completed with the least possible delay.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Clonmel Water Supply Scheme.
51.
Clonmel Corporation has been informed that contract documents may be prepared for a scheme to augment the water supply to the Borough. This scheme can provide adequately for the needs of the Borough only, and the proposal to utilise the same source to serve the Clonmel rural area has been abandoned. The preparation of a revised scheme to meet the needs of the latter area is a matter for Tipperary (S.R.) County Council which has been asked to submit amended proposals.
Is the Minister aware that there is an acute shortage of water in the borough of Clonmel, necessitating constant rationing of supplies? Would he say what the exact position is—who is responsible?
The local authority are responsible but I would not say they are responsible for anything which they are not doing something about. There has been a joint effort by way of a regional scheme on the mat for the past ten years but it has never come to any advanced stage. The supply for the two areas would come from the same source. The borough council decided to augment their supplies and the rural area was also to augment its supply. It has transpired that the source from which this supply was to be taken for the two areas is not sufficient and the result is that the original project of a joint scheme is not now feasible. Clonmel Corporation will now proceed to augment their own supply but a separate scheme is necessary for the county council in respect of the area lying outside the borough boundary.