asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will cause an inspection of the sewerage and sanitary conditions in the village of Shinrone, County Offaly, where the health of the residents, and especially of the children, is in grave danger as a result of sewage openly flowing through the streets; and if he is aware that this has been reported to the county manager without results.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sewerage Conditions in Offaly.
An inspection has recently been carried out by officers of the local authority and their report is to the effect that there is no open drain through the village, but that there is a drain on the Shinrone-Roscrea road at the outskirts of the village which is about 12 yards long and drains the back yards of a number of houses. It is further stated that no sewage matter enters this drain except the outflow from one septic tank of a private house, and that no insanitary conditions exist that would constitute a danger to the health of the residents.
The Minister's information is altogether wrong.
Has the Deputy a supplementary question to ask?
I am asking if he is aware that the information at his disposal is not correct, as I have visited the village of Shinrone and seen the appalling conditions there.
I can only say, in reply to that, that the acting county medical officer does not consider that the sanitary conditions in the village constitute a danger to health.