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press releases July 2001

July 2 2001 "Moate water supply improvements are delayed by Minister," says Deputy Paul McGrath

Deputy Paul McGrath expressed his disappointment that the Minister for the Environment has not yet approved proposals to augment the Moate Water Supply.

"The people of Moate have suffered long enough because of a poor water supply and it is totally unacceptable that further delays in improving the supply are being experienced because the Minister for the Environment is delaying approving new proposals," says Deputy McGrath.

"A consultant’s report has already recommended that an interim solution to the Moate Water shortage is to provide a new pipeline connected into the water supply at Ballymore.

"This proposed pipeline running from Ballymore via Moyvoughley to Moate would carry additional water to the Moate system as well as being capable of supplying additional households along the route of this pipeline," says Deputy McGrath.

"The consultant’s report has been approved by Westmeath County Council and has been with the Department of the Environment for quite some time. I understand that the proposals have received technical approval within the Department and now await Ministerial approval to start the job," says Deputy McGrath.

"It is disgraceful that valuable time is being lost in providing this approval (and hence bringing the new water supply 'on tap' quicker), while this Government prepare for a grand stylish announcement - no doubt with photo opportunities - of this project.

"The people of Moate have put up with this present water supply which is more akin to that of a Third World Country than a thriving economy - and will not tolerate further delays," stressed Deputy McGrath.

"I am again raising this matter in the Dáil this coming week and I hope that the Minister will not delay the approval further," says Deputy McGrath.

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