The motion this morning from Independent Ireland raises valid concerns about Ireland's water and wastewater infrastructure, reflecting ongoing challenges in a system that has historically suffered from underinvestment and ageing assets. Certainly, it is the case that persistent delays block housing, public health, economy and compliance, as the motion notes. I acknowledge also that the proposed measures that are put forward as solutions are quite positive and would certainly help the situation. Some of them may already be in place or under active implementation but it is vital that we do not continue with what is essentially an impractical regulatory and operational framework. The solutions are there. They just need to be acted upon. It is the action that is the problem and not the theoretical framework. What I am concerned about, and want to raise it this morning, is that it has come to my attention that Irish Water has issued a directive to its staff telling them that they are no longer allowed to collaborate or work with local authorities. That concerns me greatly because we know how it works with different agencies when they are not all joined up or working together and there is no collaboration. Therefore, I want to call on Irish Water to have a look at that and make sure it does continue to collaborate as much as possible with local authorities when local issues arise because when local issues arise, we need local solutions and we need everyone working together, whether they are local authority or Irish Water. I want to raise ongoing sewerage issues that have gone on for years in Harbour Road, Banagher, County Offaly. I do hope that Irish Water will address this urgently because it has gone on for years, and it is totally unacceptable.

Sentiment score: 0.07