Uisce Éireann challenged on delivery, communication and Offaly investment
The Offaly TD also criticised what he described as poor communication with customers, highlighting a water outage in Tullamore on the morning of the committee meeting
Fianna Fáil TD Tony McCormack has challenged Uisce Éireann over its ability to deliver major infrastructure projects and called for Offaly to receive the benefits of the Western-Eastern Pipeline at the earliest possible stage.
Speaking during a robust exchange at an Oireachtas Committee meeting, Deputy McCormack questioned whether the utility has the capacity to effectively manage the significant additional funding it has received from Government.
"You came in here last year looking for more funding, asking us to put pressure on the Minister to give it to ye. You now have it, and I wonder have you the capability to manage it because, from what I see locally, you can't," Deputy McCormack said.
The Offaly TD also criticised what he described as poor communication with customers, highlighting a water outage in Tullamore on the morning of the committee meeting.
He explained that after being unable to contact Uisce Éireann, he contacted Offaly County Council, who confirmed that the water supply was expected to be restored by 11am. This allowed him to notify local businesses so employees could return to work later that morning and to keep local residents informed.
However, conflicting information was being circulated elsewhere, with local radio reporting the outage would continue until 6pm and Uisce Éireann's own website stating supplies would not return until 8pm. In reality, the water supply was restored by 11am.
Deputy McCormack said the incident highlighted a serious communication failure that caused unnecessary confusion for businesses and households.
The Offaly TD also pressed Uisce Éireann on the delivery of the Western-Eastern Pipeline, stressing that while more of the pipeline will pass through Offaly than any other county, the county must also receive the benefits.
"Offaly is providing the largest amount of land to this project, and we deserve to be rewarded for that. I want connections in Offaly delivered as part of Phase One, not Phase Two, because Phase Two may never happen," he said.
Deputy McCormack revealed that he had raised the issue with the Taoiseach in the Dáil earlier that day and welcomed the Taoiseach's agreement that Offaly's needs must be recognised.
He argued that securing Phase One connections is essential to support housing delivery, business growth and enterprise across the county.
Concluding the exchange, Deputy McCormack called for straight answers from Uisce Éireann on the issues facing Offaly.
"At the end of the day, we want answers. I'm not asking about talking around the shop and no answers," he said.
Deputy McCormack said the Government has committed significant investment to Uisce Éireann and that communities now expect to see delivery, improved communication and tangible benefits for counties like Offaly that are hosting major national infrastructure.