asked the Minister for Local Government if, in view of the serious water shortage in the south county area of Dublin, he will issue a public appeal to persons to conserve water supplies.
102.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Conservation of Dublin Water Supplies.
101.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware of the serious water shortage in areas of Dún Laoghaire and Rathdown; and what action he intends to take in the matter.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 101 and 102 together.
As the House was informed in reply to previous questions on this matter the rapid development of Dublin city and its environs has tended to tax temporarily the existing water supply system in certain areas, including those referred to by the Deputy. Schemes are, however, in planning or actually under construction by the local authorities concerned to ensure that an adequate supply of water will be available in all areas as soon as possible. The Dublin City and County Manager has made public appeals asking consumers, as a precautionary measure, to limit their use of water and not to hose gardens, wash cars, et cetera, while the present dry spell lasts.
I fully endorse this appeal. A piped water supply is an essential public service in a built-up area. The cost to public funds of harnessing, treating and supplying the water to consumers is heavy. It is vital, therefore, that everyone should appreciate the necessity to use the public water supply in a responsible manner, particularly during lengthy spells of dry weather.
What are we to understand by: "in all areas as soon as possible"? Is the Minister aware that in practically all areas in Dublin at the moment there is an acute shortage of water and many houses are without water for sanitation? There are houses which have not had water for over a week and the people have had to carry water. What hope can the Minister hold out? What exactly does he mean by "as soon as possible"?
When I say "as soon as possible" I mean "as soon as possible".
Does that mean three months, six months, 12 months?
As soon as is possible. I cannot say what is possible in view of circumstances which may arise in the future over which I or the local authority or my Department may have no control.
Like "Kathleen Mavourneen", it may be for years and it may be forever.
(Cavan): May I respectfully suggest to the Minister that he should erase the expression “as soon as possible” from the records of the Department of Local Government because it means nothing? I know he inherited it.
I think the reputation of the Department of Local Government stands very high and if the Deputy listened carefully to many of the replies which I have given he would find a clear indication there of the extent of the work with which we are dealing and the expeditious manner in which it is being dealt with.
(Cavan): Within the last few years some bad precedents have been established.