Fianna Fáil TD for Kilkenny Bobby Aylward has criticised the Government for failing address the ongoing water supply problems in Kilkenny following weeks of flooding.

Deputy Aylward previously called on the Government to suspend water charges for people affected by water service interruptions. The Kilkenny TD attempted to follow up on the issue the Dáil with Minister for Environment Alan Kelly but was informed that his question was disallowed.

“Communities in many parts of Kilkenny are still experiencing ongoing disruption to their water supplies after the flooding over Christmas. I’ve been trying to raise this in the Dáil with Minister Kelly to no avail. The Government has informed me that the ongoing disruptions are a matter for Irish Water and are refusing to deal with the concerns of those affected by the flooding,” said Deputy Aylward.

“It’s shocking that Minister Kelly in particular is shirking his responsibilities. The very least that people in affected areas expect is for the Minister to make a statement on the issue and outline what is being done at a Government level to resolve the disruptions. Minister Kelly is responsible for Irish Water. He should be proactive in ensuring the disruptions are resolved.

“People should not be expected to pay water charges when they do not even have a continuous supply of water. It’s even more shocking to note that residents in Graiguenamanagh are still being forced to pay water charges when they have to boil their drinking water for fear of the presence of the parasite Cryptosporidium. Irish Water confirmed the presence of the parasite last November and people still fear that it is present in the water supply.

It’s time for Minister Kelly to take action to resolve the ongoing water issues instead of hiding behind his Irish Water superquango,” concluded Deputy Aylward.