Vol. 411 No. 5
10 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for the Environment if he has any intention to introduce legislation to amend the Local Government (Dublin) Act, 1930, and the Dublin Corporation Waterworks Act, 1861, so that Dublin County Council can assume responsibility for water service pipes which are outside the curtilage of private premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
This matter has been noted for consideration as part of the revision of sanitary services legislation. However, it may be appropriate to deal with it in the legislation which will be necessary for purposes of further implementing local government reorganisation in Dublin.
Do I take it from the Minister's reply that we can expect legislation dealing with this matter when the Bill dealing with the reorganisation of local government in Dublin comes before the House, presumably after Christmas?
The Deputy may take it that the matters brought to my attention by him and his colleague, Deputy Rabbitte, have caused me to consider the matter at some length and I think something will be addressed in that area. I hope to do this in a favourable way.
Is the Minister aware of the particular difficulties which have arisen in existing local authority areas, where two neighbours are on the same water supply as one neighbour has become a tenant purchaser and the other is a tenant? Is he aware of the great difficulties which have arisen in relation to joint water supplies where the local authorities are not permitted to do anything to tackle problems arising from the water supply to the tenant purchaser whereas they can in relation to a tenant?
Yes, it is an anomaly which the Minister should try to eradicate from the system. I am favourably disposed to doing something which would meet all requirements.
The Minister has brightened my day.
There are no guarantees.
In the event that the legislation dealing with Dublin is supposed to be dealt with after the legislation for the sub-county structures, will the Minister consider including it in the legislation dealing with the sub-county structures as it is a small matter?
Yes, it might be a useful vehicle to deal with it.
