Offaly TD 'deeply alarmed' over alleged breakdown between Uisce Éireann and local authories

Independent TD for Offaly Carol Nolan has said that she was "deeply alarmed" to be provided with information recently about an alleged breakdown in the working relationship between the national water utility, Uisce Éireann and local authorities.

Carol Nolan TD said: "Irish Water has issued a directive to its staff telling them that they are no longer allowed to collaborate or work with local authorities with respect to the shortage of water in some areas of the county."

Deputy Nolan was speaking following a Dáil debate on Uisce Éireann (Irish Water) Infrastructure Delivery, Accountability and Repair Timelines.

During the debate, The independent TD raised ongoing sewerage issues that she says have ‘plagued the Harbour Road area in Banagher’ for the better part of the last 6 years, despite constant engagement on the issue from the Local Authority.

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Speaking on the persistent issues, Carol Nolan TD said: "All people want is basic infrastructure that works and that keeps their communities and homes safe and free from harmful discharges like sewage. That is not too much to ask."

She continued: "Yet here we are having invested billions in Irish Water and problems such as those in Harbour Road and elsewhere continue to plague the residents. It is totally unacceptable."

Reflecting on the claims of issues between Uisce Éireann and local authorities, she commented: "I am greatly concerned by the attempts by Irish Water to effectively cut the local authorities out of some aspects of the water and treatment infrastructure process. When local issues arise, we need local solutions and we need everyone working together, whether they are local authority or Irish Water."

She added: "We know how it works with different agencies when they are not all joined up or are not working together and there is no collaboration. Therefore, I want to call on Irish Water to have an urgent look at that and make sure it does continue to collaborate as much as possible with local authorities, especially when local issues arise."

Deputy Nolan concluded: "In the meantime, I will continue my consistent engagement on the issues impacting Harbour Road and other areas of the county such as Leamore, Blueball, that demand urgent attention."