asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state the cause of the delay in sanctioning the recommendation of the Mullingar Water Works Committee which was adopted by the Westmeath County Board of Health at their November meeting to extend the town water system to Clownmore; if he is aware that numerous letters have been sent by the Committee referred to to his Department asking for sanction, and, if he will state why those letters have not been answered; and, further, if he is aware that the sixteen families residing in Clownmore have to travel over a quarter of a mile to an exposed well for water, and that the engineer to the Committee states that the cottages of the families referred to are situated where railway engines and wagons are washed and close to the Mullingar filter-beds and that good water could not be procured from a pump; and, if in view of these facts the Minister will sanction the recommendation immediately.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - MULLINGAR WATER SYSTEM EXTENSION.
SEAN O LAIDHIN
There has been no delay on the part of my Department. The question of my sanction was raised for the first time in the minutes of the Westmeath County Board of Health of March last. The Board were informed two months ago that the matter appeared to be one for the decision of the Sanitary Authority on their own responsibility.
Am I to understand from the Minister's reply that he has no objection to sanctioning the scheme put forward by the County Board of Health?
I have not had the detailed facts before me yet. In a general way that is true, but I will have to have the matter before me in detail.
But the Minister or his Department got the minutes of the County Board two months ago. Sixteen families in this district have to go more than a mile for water, and even that water is not fit for use. This is necessary for the health of the people. Will the Minister expedite the matter?
I cannot sanction the scheme until I have the details before me, and I have not got them yet.
What kind of a Department has the Minister? Surely the Department must have the minutes of the County Board before them?