‘Just not good enough’ - Kilkenny's range of water issues highlighted in the Dáil

A wide range of issues related to Uisce Éireann in County Kilkenny have been raised in the Dáil.

Carlow-Kilkenny Fianna Fáil TD John McGuinness spoke on the subject during a debate on water services.

Deputy McGuinness slammed the “general bureaucracy” that he believes is holding up developments nationwide.

He described a public meeting he attended in the county, which highlighted this problem.

Deputy McGuinness said: “I attended a public meeting in Inistioge about the development of the village and a neighbouring area called The Rower.

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“At one stage, this area was second on the list to have facilities provided by the council or Irish Water.

“Now, it is fifth on the list and no one can explain why. We cannot have a system that randomly picks one place over another.

“Huge investment must be made through Irish Water and directed towards villages and towns that want to develop, that have areas to develop and where people want to live.”

He also outlined water issues that are affecting the residents of a housing estate in Kilkenny city.

“The Greenfields housing estate in Kilkenny is serviced by an antiquated system that is just completely broken down.

“Irish Water will not provide the turn-off valves that are necessary to control the water should there be a burst pipe.

“Very recently, there was a burst pipe. A house gets flooded and who do the people turn to? Their local public representative or TD.

“What we get from Irish Water is just static. There is no sense of urgency about delivering the corrective measures that are necessary to make sure those households do not flood any more.”

Deputy McGuinness added that the nationalisation of water services has meant there has been a loss of local knowledge.

“There is not an understanding from Irish Water about local issues, either.

“In Inistioge, they were not aware of the fact that very close to the outflow pipe from a treatment system was an area where people got into the water and swam. They did not see it.

“We have lost a lot of local knowledge as we move towards the bigger entity of Irish Water. That could be said about the HSE as well.

“We need to debate it much more here in the Chamber so we get to the point where we are creating the policy and driving it to deliver for the people we represent.”

He concluded by calling on Uisce Éireann to do “much more” when it comes to engaging with local communities.

Later in the debate, fellow Fianna Fáil TD Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere welcomed a new initiative which will allow private sector involvement in developing wastewater systems for smaller housing developments of up to 40 homes.

He described the initiative as a “crucial step” towards addressing the housing crisis in Carlow and Kilkenny.

He added that it was particularly crucial because of the number of issues faced by residents in his constituency.

Deputy Cleere said: “There are so many issues in my constituency that need to be resolved.

“We have 14 wastewater treatment plants that need to be upgraded at the moment, in Kilmanagh, Glenmore, Freshford, Dungarvan, Ballyhale, Kells, Fiddown, Piltown, Paulstown, Graiguenamanagh, Bennettsbridge and Windgap, to name but a few.

“We have a situation in Bennettsbridge right now where they have been waiting years for an upgrade.

“They have been approved but the works will not be completed until 2030. It is not good enough and it is not acceptable.”

He also mentioned the situation in Inistioge, as well as the issues with the wastewater treatment plant in Mullinavat, which is at full capacity.

There was even stronger criticism of Uisce Éireann from Sinn Féin TD Natasha Newsome Drennan, who said that the utility is operating in a “cartel-like fashion”.

Deputy Newsome Drennan said: “How much longer will they bury their heads in the sand and hide from this scandal?

“The harsh reality is that the ordinary people of Carlow and Kilkenny are paying the price for this corruption.

“Instead of getting their water supply fixed on time, people are getting boil water notices slapped on.

“Instead of leaks being fixed, valves are being installed to reduce water pressure and output, giving the impression that leaks have been reduced when, in fact, all that has been done is that the water supply has been turned down.”

She went on to also raise issues with water services being experienced locally, particularly in Castlecomer and Inistioge.

“Just look at Castlecomer, in Kilkenny. It has rolling water restrictions all year round. It is something they have become immune to.

“This is a community of over 2,000 taxpaying citizens, and what do they get in return? Substandard water and second-class treatment.

“Then there is the community of Inistioge, where the Government's failure to invest in water facilities has brought a complete halt to new builds and is destroying local waterways due to raw sewage being discharged into the rivers.”

Deputy Newsome Drennan concluded by asking how much longer the Government will tolerate what she described as a “failing system”.

She added that the issues facing residents in Kilkenny should be investigated and featured on the RTÉ current affairs programme Prime Time.

Minister of State Christopher O’Sullivan was present in the chamber on behalf of the Minister for Housing, James Browne.

While Minister O’Sullivan did not give a direct response to any of the Kilkenny-related issues raised, he did provide a general response to all deputies.

He highlighted the work the Government has done to address water issues across the country, but acknowledged that there is much more to do.

He complimented Uisce Éireann on the “significant progress” it has made in that regard, but accepted that the utility is not perfect.

Minister O’Sullivan said: “We realise that Uisce Éireann certainly has not got everything right. We realise there is a necessity to focus on wastewater projects and water supply.

“The Minister and Ministers of State in the Department know there are towns, villages, cities and urban areas where improvements are needed or where basic infrastructure is needed.

“We know that some of these timelines are very hard to stomach and very frustrating but when we think about the various licences and permits that are needed, we can understand.”

He continued by saying that the Department will focus on reducing the amount of red tape involved in the delivery of water services.

He added that the need for better communication will be passed on to Uisce Éireann.

Minister O’Sullivan concluded by saying that the Government will continue to support Uisce Éireann and the work it is doing nationwide.