Download Roscommon Water Problems

Harkin Call for Urgent Action on Roscommon Water Problems
If Minister for the Environment Mr. Phil Hogan is prepared to give a commitment for a date on which
water will be removed from Co. Roscommon to satisfy demand in Dublin he should be prepared to
remove obstacles in his department which delay vital investment in water treatment plants in
Roscommon and many other counties.
This was stated by Independent MEP Marian Harkin referring to extensive water quality problems in
Co. Roscommon which could only be resolved by swifter clearing by the Department of the
Environment of proposed contracts for improved water treatment.
She said: “The record of the Department of the Environment in clearing projects under the Water
Services Investment Programme is abysmal and inexcusable and unless there is a substantial
improvement in the speed of contracts approval there will be continued problems associated with
deficient water treatment plants throughout Ireland.
“In the case of Co. Roscommon the Minister for the Environment needs to be much more proactive in
ensuring that necessary works are implemented and this will only happen if the present pace of
dealing with proposals is considerably accelerated. It is interesting to note the Minister’s
commitment to a date for delivery of Roscommon waters to Dublin to ensure a solution to their
supply problem. An equal unequivocal commitment is needed to resolve Roscommon’s water
problems.
“Why should the people of Boyle, for instance, be required to endure a threat to their health which
could be removed by the necessary response of the Department of the Environment?
“There are problems throughout Roscommon from Boyle, Ardcarne to Roscommon Central, the South
Roscommon Water Supply Scheme, Killeglan, Lisbrock, Arigna and Ballyfarnan. Roscommon County
Council is obviously doing its best to provide effective water and wastewater treatment plants.
However the lack of speed of clearance of the projects in their Water Services Investment Programme
is replicated in many other counties and this requires the immediate attention of the Minister.
“Mr. Hogan needs to puncture the virtually impenetrable wall existing in his department because if
he does not act there will be further serious threats to health in Co. Roscommon and other counties
which find difficulty in implementing effective water treatment investment programmes”, Marian
Harkin concluded.
Further information from:
Marian Harkin MEP
Tel: +086-8341758
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.marianharkin.ie
Facebook: www.facebook.com/marianharkin
Twitter: www.twitter.com/MarianHarkin
"MEP of the Year " Award Winner 2011 & 2012
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Declan MacPartlin
Ph: 087-2556609