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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 7 Jul 1983

Vol. 344 No. 9

Private Notice Question. - Dublin Water Inspectors Strike.

asked the Minister for the Environment if he will intervene immediately in the strike of Dublin County Council water inspectors which is resulting in (a) pollution of beaches, (b) poor water pressure with a consequent danger of disasters by fire and (c) inconvenience to homes and business.

I am, of course, deeply concerned with the effects of the industrial action on the community generally. My Department have maintained regular and close contact with Dublin County Council in this matter. The county council have been making every effort to discharge their responsibilities in a difficult situation. Serious incidents such as those which have led to interruptions of water supply to substantial numbers of houses have been successfully tackled. I should like to make it clear that I have the assurance of the local authority that where there is interruption of water supply special precautions are taken in relation to fire hazard.

The situation which has arisen in places such as Malahide, where there have been overflows of raw sewage, is a most unfortunate one particularly at this time of year. The council have been endeavouring to meet the situation. The problem in Malahide was due to a breakdown in an electrical pump that could not be repaired because of the unwillingness of the contractors who normally carry out repairs to pass the pickets. However, the council today have been successful in having an alternative pumping arrangement made and this is now operating successfully.

As to the dispute itself, the position was outlined in my reply to a Private Notice Question on 21 June 1983. Since then the issue has been considered by the monitoring committee of the public service pay agreement and further talks have taken place under the chairmanship of a Labour Court conciliation officer, without, however, progress having been made towards securing a return to work. The issue has now been referred to a full Labour Court hearing. This will take place on Wednesday next, 13 July. I am informed this is the earliest practical date on which the hearing can take place. So far as this aspect of the matter is concerned it would be neither helpful nor appropriate for me to intervene in this process.

I find it most disappointing that even at this stage, when the strike has been going on for nearly a month, that the Minister is not prepared to intervene in the dispute and to use his good offices, not only as Minister for the Environment but also as leader of the Labour Party, with the trade union involved and with the council. All he can say is that he and his Department have been keeping in close contact with the county council. This is not good enough.

At the moment there is pollution of our beaches. The Minister referred to Malahide and he takes credit for the council taking some action today. But for the fact that there was a court injunction taken against the council this morning they would not have tackled even the Malahide beach. The Portmarnock beach is also affected and it is getting worse by the hour. I ask the Minister to comment on the action that is necessary to cope with the Portmarnock beach situation.

The Deputy was correct in saying that action was taken this morning. There was a court hearing at 10.30 a.m. in relation to the proposed injunction. With regard to Portmarnock, at the moment the council are trying to get to the source of the electrical fault. There are certain difficulties because the council do not have their own electrical staff and there are difficulties in relation to the private contractors who normally carry out the work for the council. In my last contact with the council a few minutes ago they assured me they are making every effort to tackle the problem in Portmarnock, the same as has been done in Malahide.

The Minister highlighted the problems but surely that indicates there is need for personal intervention by him as the Minister responsible for the Environment. The second part of my question referred to the danger of fire hazard.

We cannot have a debate on this matter.

I do not intend to debate if. My question was a three-part question and I should like to deal with the question of a possible fire hazard. There was a contractor working in Portmarnock this morning and he broke a pipe. There is no water in the Portmarnock area, the county council are supplying it with water tanks, but what happens if there is a fire there now?

There was a major burst in the water main at Carrickhill, Portmarnock, this morning and the county council are working on it at present. With regard to the question of fire, Dublin Corporation are assisting Dublin County Council by reducing their intake from the county supply and they are satisfied that the water supply is sufficient for fire fighting purposes.

The good weather has further exacerbated the situation in County Dublin with regard to water pressure and the pollution of our beaches. There are many private projects under way in County Dublin which necessitate the water inspectors turning off the water pressure——

That is not a question, Deputy.

Can the Minister assure this House and the people of County Dublin that they are adequately covered in the event of fire?

I have done so already.

Is the Minister aware that the water pressure in Skerries and other areas in County Dublin is so bad that water can only be used downstairs in houses? What action is he going to take in that regard? The Minister should intervene in this dispute because of the seriousness of the situation——

Deputy Burke is abusing the privilege of being allowed to ask a Private Notice Question.

It is a very serious matter and the Minister should intervene.

The Deputy should raise it on the Adjournment debate.

The Labour Court are not going to discuss this matter until next Wednesday week.

There is a minor burst in Skerries and the council are working on it at present. I do not want to give the impression that I am not cognisant of the seriousness of the situation. Since the Deputy raised the matter this morning I have been in very close contact with the council on an hourly basis. At the moment I do not think it would be appropriate for me to intervene in what is primarily the county council's dispute.

It is the Minister's responsibility to intervene.

Arising from the Minister's reply, is he aware of the grave pollution and slime on Sandymount strand? I appreciate he cannot intervene in the strike, but would he be prepared as a matter of urgency to use cleaning equipment on the beaches to protect the thousands of Dubliners who are using them? He could make a start on Sandymount strand, which is the Taoiseach's constituency.

I am aware of the situation in relation to beaches on the north and south sides of the city. Arising from the court hearing this morning the council are getting technical advice today as to what preventive action they can take in relation to Malahide. I can then take steps to see what is necessary with regard to the other beaches in the Dublin area.

The Minister should have taken a court action this morning.

In view of the seriousness of the situation, as outlined by Deputy Burke and admitted to by the Minister, and of the very fine weather at present, would the Minister not agree that a week seems a long time to wait for a Labour Court hearing? Because of that long delay I appeal to him to use his good offices to try to bring the Labour Court hearing forward and have it held over the weekend. Surely it merits urgent consideration?

That is the eighth time that question was asked and it has been answered.

Not by you but by Deputy Burke.

I accept the validity of the Deputies' arguments and steps are being taken to try to have the Labour Court hearing at the earliest possible date.

I wish to raise on the Adjournment the matter of the nation's lack of preparedness for any serious calamity resulting from radioactive pollution?

The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.

May I ask with respect, if I have any other measure left open to me if I am refused a question on the Adjournment?

We have an adjournment debate going on today and tomorrow——

This is a special matter. We are turning the Irish Sea into a nuclear cesspool.

I wish to raise the matter of a serious water shortage in Dundalk town——

I will communicate with Deputy Kirk.

Industrial expansion has been retarded since last Monday——

The Deputy is out of order in pursuing this matter.

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