d'Aire Comhshaoil an eol dó gur thráigh foinse an tsoláthair uisce in Inis Meáin, Oileán Árann, Contae na Gaillimhe, le linn an triomaigh i 1984, agus go raibh an scéim gan uisce ar feadh ceithre sheachtain, agus a fhiafraí dó cad is féidir leis a dhéanamh chun a chinntiú go soláthrófar foinsí breise a bheidh ag obair i rith an tSamhraidh, 1985.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Soláthar Uisce in Árainn.
19. D'Fhiafraigh
The organiser of the Inis Meain group water scheme has informed my Department that their water supply dried up during the exceptionally dry summer this year. The group has applied for State aid towards the provision of additional storage in the scheme and this proposal is currently under examination in my Department. I cannot say at this stage when a decision will be made but there will be no avoidable delay in dealing with the matter so far as my Department are concerned.
Would the Minister ensure that this decision is made in time to allow for the additional reservoir which is required to be in situ before next summer? The islanders experienced severe difficulties during the drought of 1984 and a drought in 1985 could have serious effects on the lives of the islanders, and the large number of students attending Irish college on Inishmaan during the summer months. If this reservoir is not provided next year the school might have to close down.
Proposals for additional storage are being examined from a technical point of view, and no decision can be made on the availability of funds for such work until the grants for the original scheme have been finalised, and the final payment is being processed at present.
Knowing that the Minister is concerned for the islanders, will he try to ensure that the additional reservoir is in place next summer?
In case the Deputy has been given the impression that I am not concerned about the islanders——
Having deprived them of roads, is the Minister now going to deprive them of water?
——I will see what I can do for them.