asked the Minister for the Environment when moneys will be made available for the Kells-Oldcastle water supply scheme, County Meath as there is a need for a new scheme to be implemented for the residents of Oldcastle town who have an inadequate water supply at present.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers - Water and Sewerage Schemes.
16.
(Dublin South-East): Tenders and a loan application for the Kells-Oldcastle water supply scheme are under consideration in my Department. I am not, at present, in a position to say when the necessary tender and loan approvals will issue to Meath County Council.
Is the Minister not aware of the seriousness of the water supply situation in Oldcastle, a situation that can be verified by Deputy Lynch and which is presenting a health hazard to the people concerned? The relevant documents have been with the Department since before Christmas last and I am asking the Minister if he will sanction a loan of £1.6 million immediately for the Kells-Oldcastle water supply scheme?
(Dublin South-East): Is the Deputy asking me to give that commitment now?
I am.
(Dublin South-East): I am not prepared to do so.
I have a supplementary question regarding the Oldcastle-Kells water supply. We hope to get it to the pipeline in the near future. In the light of the Minister's reply, the Minister and the Government are now fully aware of the desperate plight of the people in Oldcastle, north Meath and the Kells area regarding the very poor quality of the water supply which has been in existence there as a scheme for the past 60 years. I take it from the Minister's reply that he is fully aware of the position and will expedite the implementation of that scheme. At the same time I wish to take this opportunity to express our total——
Sorry, Deputy, that is an abuse of Question Time. You can ask questions.
(Interruptions.)
The Deputy is disorderly. Deputy Lynch, I would not like you to start off your term here being disorderly after your maiden speech.
My apologies.
(Interruptions.)
Question No. 17. We do not want an abuse of points of order.
You allowed only one supplementary.
It was my decision, Deputy, not yours.
On a point of order, why will you not allow a second supplementary for me who has had this question down for the last two months?
I am the judge of how many supplementaries should be allowed. On this occasion and because we are running so late on so few questions and I have allowed so much latitude on so many questions——
I want a reply.
I am sorry, Deputy, you were given an answer. I also have the replies here and on the basis of that I decide whether to allow further supplementaries.
There were 13 supplementaries earlier in the day.
I am the judge of what I consider Deputies are interested in. I have allowed you a supplementary and a reply was given. I do not think you can question that any further. I am telling you now that I am not allowing a further supplementary on this.
It is like when I asked to bring up something last week. Someone in Dublin got priority before us in the country. That happened twice.
It is not happening like that.
I asked you for permission to ask a second supplementary.
I am sorry, I have given a decision on this and we will have to go to it another time. Time is up now.
Give the country boy a break.
I asked three questions here today and I got no commitment from the Minister. If I feel it is very unfair——
I am not responsible for the Minister's replies. If he decides to tell you that he will not give a commitment I am not responsible for that. When I heard that I thought the matter ended. I cannot give any more.
May I ask a question?
You may.
How is it you are always safeguarding the Ministers?
I am not.
You are.
That is an allegation. You are making a charge against the Chair, which is wrong.
I would not like to make an allegation.
I feel that Ministers are responsible to the Dáil and they are responsible for answering questions. The remaining Questions will appear on next Tuesday's Order Paper.