Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 23 Jun 1993

Vol. 432 No. 7

Written Answers. - Water Pipe Connection Repairs.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

45 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties created for some householders who are being billed by some local authorities for repairs to water connections to their homes where they run under the public roadway and where the damage is caused by traffic; if he will consider introducing amending legislation to remove this liability as the householder is clearly not in a position to prevent such damage; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. M. Smith)

There is legal provision enabling Dublin, Dún Laoghaire and Cork Corporations to agree to maintain branch water pipe connections to any premises within their functional area. I intend that a consistent approach throughout the Dublin area will be provided for in the legislation to establish the three new county councils which I will bring forward later this year. The question of extending such a provision to all local authorities will be considered in the context of future legislative reform.