Thank you, a Cheann Comhairle, for allowing me to raise this issue and I also thank the Minister of State for coming to reply to it. This matter is literally of vital interest to the people of Naas.
In 1991, a sewerage pipe ruptured and the raw sewage from that pipe ran directly into a well supplying the town of Naas. This resulted in over 4,000 men, women and children being poisoned with e-coli bacteria and suffering various levels of disability and illness. Some people developed chronic gastroenteritis and the only compensation offered to those affected was reduced water charges.
Since then, major management changes were made, an emergency plan was developed and the water source at Sunday's Well, Naas, was closed down. The public was assured that this could never happen again. Last Tuesday, it did happen again. Sewage has again contaminated the water supply of Naas town and the surrounding areas. The bacterium e-coli was detected during routine sampling by the Eastern Health Board in what should be a sealed water supply for human consumption from a reservoir in Bowdenstown to the homes of the residents of Naas. In fairness to the health boards and the local authorities they have taken corrective action with all due haste and, I hope, effectiveness. Pipes have been flushed out, extra chlorine has been added to kill the bacteria and the public has been notified. Preliminary tests to date have shown an absence of sewage or e-coli.
The people of Naas were assured in 1991 that sewage contamination of their water supply would not be possible in future. The authorities, health and local government, have not lived up to that assurance and the potential for widespread infection of large numbers of people with e-coli is again a reality in Naas.
Will the Minister inform the House on the source of the contamination and where and how it occurred? Has the contamination ceased and will he give an assurance that there will be no further contamination of the Naas water supply? Given that this is the second occasion major pollution of drinking water has occurred in Naas, will the Minister now hold an inquiry into the reasons for it, devise a regime to prevent a recurrence and examine how those infected and damaged might be rightly compensated?
I am also mindful, and I am sure the Minister is aware, that water supplies to the town of Castledermot were polluted with cattle slurry last week. Action is now required by central Government as it is obvious that the local authorities have failed in their duty to their citizens to provide a wholesome and safe supply of drinking water.
