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Dáil Éireann - Volume 91 - 17 November, 1943 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Water Supplies in Laoighis. Mr. Flanagan Mr. Flanagan 2210 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state what steps, if any, have been recently taken to speed up the [2210] long-awaited waterworks scheme in Stradbally, County Laoighis, and if he is in a position to state when it will be commenced, as the town is in a bad way for a water supply. Mr. MacEntee Mr. MacEntee Mr. MacEntee: As I have explained in reply to many previous questions by other Deputies on this matter, so far as my Department is concerned, everything possible has been done to expedite this scheme, the plans for which were approved as far back as January, 1941. The delay which has taken place in proceeding with it has been caused by difficulties in securing the necessary water rights. I am informed that these particular difficulties have now been overcome and that all the necessary rights have recently been acquired. However, I am not at present in a position to state when it will be possible to start work on the scheme as difficulties are being experienced generally regarding the supply of materials for schemes of this nature, and I am not aware that these difficulties can be overcome by departmental action. Mr. Flanagan Mr. Flanagan Mr. Flanagan: Is the Minister aware that in the town of Stradbally, County Laoighis, there is only one pump to supply the whole town with pure water, and that that pump has been condemned by the county medical officer of health? I think, in the interests of public health, the Department should take some steps to see that the people of that town are supplied with pure water. Mr. MacEntee Mr. MacEntee Mr. MacEntee: It seems to me the public representatives from Laoighis might have taken that matter up long ago. Mr. Flanagan Mr. Flanagan Mr. Flanagan: We have taken it up with the county manager, but no results have been obtained. It is up to the Minister. Mr. MacEntee Mr. MacEntee Mr. MacEntee: It could have been taken up prior to the appointment of the county manager. Mr. Flanagan Mr. Flanagan 2211 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that application was [2211] made last April to the County Manager for Laoighis for a water supply for Ballylehane Upper where there are over 60 people awaiting the supply, and if he is in a position to state what has been the cause of the delay in attention to this urgent matter. Mr. MacEntee Mr. MacEntee Mr. MacEntee: In August last the Laoighis County Council authorised the raising of a loan to defray expenditure on the provision of wells and pumps at various places in the county health district including Ballylehane. According to the information in my Department there has been no avoidable delay in dealing with these proposals. Mr. Flanagan Mr. Flanagan Mr. Flanagan: Could the Minister say if he has sanctioned this matter for the county council? Mr. MacEntee Mr. MacEntee Mr. MacEntee: Yes. We are not holding it up anyhow. Mr. Flanagan Mr. Flanagan Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that there is a general demand for a waterworks for the town of Abbeyleix, County Laoighis, and if in the interests of the health of the town, he will make immediate representations to the county manager to prepare the necessary scheme. Mr. MacEntee Mr. MacEntee Mr. MacEntee: No representations have so far been received in my Department in regard to this matter. As regards the latter part of the question, the provision of an adequate supply is the responsibility of the sanitary authority, and they have their own medical and engineering officers to advise them on this matter. I cannot depute any officer of my Department to make any investigation at this stage. Dáil Éireann 91 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. Water Supplies in Laoighis. Questions 19431117
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