Nolan highlights ‘disgrace’ of Harbour Road’s ongoing sewage problems

Independent TD for Offaly Carol Nolan has raised ongoing sewerage issues that she says have ‘plagued the Harbour Road area in Banagher’ for the better part of the last 6 years, despite persistent engagement on the issue from the Local Authority.

Deputy Nolan was speaking following a Dáil debate on Uisce Éireann (Irish Water) Infrastructure Delivery, Accountability and Repair Timelines.

The Offaly TD also said she was deeply alarmed by information provided to her recently, that Irish Water has issued a directive to its staff telling them that they are no longer allowed to collaborate or work with local authorities:

“All people want is basic infrastructure that works and that keeps their communities and homes safe and free from harmful discharges like sewage. That is not too much to ask. Yet here we are having invested billions in Irish Water and problems such as those in Harbour Road continue to plague the residents there. It is totally unacceptable,” Deputy Nolan said.

“I am also greatly concerned by the attempts by Irish Water to effectively cut the local authorities out of the water and treatment infrastructure process.”

“We know how it works with different agencies when they are not all joined up or are not working together and there is no collaboration. Therefore, I want to call on Irish Water to have an urgent look at that and make sure it does continue to collaborate as much as possible with local authorities, especially when local issues arise.”

“When local issues arise, we need local solutions and we need everyone working together, whether they are local authority or Irish Water.

“In the meantime, I will continue my consistent engagement on the issues impacting Harbour Road and other areas of the county that urgent attention,” concluded Deputy Nolan.

ENDS