asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware of the situation in Tramore in connection with the water supply, and if he will state what steps are being taken by him to ensure that an adequate supply of water is provided for the residents of that town; also, if he is aware that it is the opinion of medical doctors of Tramore that unless immediate steps are taken to provide a supply of pure water an epidemic of typhoid fever may result.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tramore Water Supply.
I am fully alive to the matter to which the Deputy's question refers, but I must emphasise that in Tramore, as in every other area, the responsibility for providing and maintaining a water supply rests on the local authority. I have, however, done everything possible to assist the local authority concerned in this case by strongly representing to the Minister for Supplies the difficulties which the local authority has experienced in obtaining adequate oil fuel for operating the water-pumping plant. I have every reason to believe that the representations are being very carefully and sympathetically considered in the light of the very difficult position which exists not only in regard to oil fuel but to alternative power agents.
As regards the latter part of the question the reply is in the negative. The report of the local medical officer of health, which I have seen, does not make any specific reference to an epidemic of typhoid.