Spate of water outages in Offaly raised in Dáil

Residents and businesses in the Birr and Rhode areas have been grappling with a series of rolling water outages over the past week, which led to the issue being highlighted in the Dáil on Wednesday.

Offaly TD John Clendennen spoke about the impact of the recent water outages in Birr, despite €10 million being allocated for a water treatment plant upgrade in 2023.

"Right now, Uisce Éireann has nine outages right across (Birr)," Deputy Clendennen told the Dáil.

"These are lasting for two, three, four, five consecutive days. It is simply not good enough."

He said the fact that these outages were continuing, despite the local investment in a water treatment plant upgrade was "simply not acceptable" from an infrastructural delivery perspective.

"I ask the Taoiseach to ensure that there is some element of review of delivery, management, accountability and oversight of all of our semi-State utilities," he said.

Responding, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said "a mechanical issue arose at the Birr water treatment plant last weekend".

He said this was repaired on Sunday, but was then followed by a week-long planned programme of leakage reduction works which started on Monday.

"All of the works in progress should be completed by the end of the week and customers should see a return to normal supply," said the Fianna Fáil leader.

In Rhode, meanwhile, Uisce Eireann said on Wednesday that "another burst water main" had been reported and that this was impacting on water supply to premises in Clonin, Fahy, Rhode and surrounding areas.

It said this was the latest in a series of "multiple bursts on the water network" since Thursday of last week.

"Our crews are on site carrying out repairs and every effort is being made to restore normal service as quickly and safely as possible," Uisce Eireann said.