HAVING any dealings with Irish Water is a “major challenge” for councillors, according to Cllr Stephen Keary.
Speaking about the national water utility at this month’s meeting of the Adare-Rathkeale Municipal District, the Fine Gael politician said: “Irish Water don’t care about us, we don’t really count.”
Cllr Keary took issue with the council executive that there were a number of reoccurring items on their monthly agenda that were still unresolved.
Director of Services for Adare-Rathkeale Municipal District, Caroline Curley, explained that a number of these issues were for Irish Water.
“They are a different organisation and entity. There was very poor attendance from councillors at meetings that were organised with Irish Water,” she pointed out.
Cllr Keary told her that there was one school he was aware of which did not have adequate water supply to meet its needs.
“They have insufficient water if a fire broke out. In this case someone was negligent. They don’t have enough water pressure to fight a fire. This is down to the Council and Irish Water,” he claimed.
Fine Gael councillor Adam Teskey said he didn’t appreciate business being carried out “behind closed doors” and without councillors involvement.
“On the whole issue of a sewerage system for Askeaton all we are getting back is a load of waffle,” he declared.
“If Irish Water were serious about meeting us they would come to one of our scheduled monthly meetings.”
Head Operations, Kieran Lehane, told council members that a suitable time could be looked at.
“We are four years asking them to a meeting,” Sinn Fein councillor Ciara McMahon replied.
