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"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 still 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 since April 2001. I understand that these proposals received technical approval within the Department very quickly and we now wait for 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. No doubt, with an election looming, such a suitable photo opportunity to announce this scheme will be planned," says McGrath.
"The people of Moate have tolerated this erratic water supply (which is more akin to that of a Third World Country than a thriving economy) and delays caused by the inaction of this Government will not be tolerated," stressed Deputy McGrath.
"I have again raised this matter in the Dáil last week by way of a Parliamentary Question and again received a disappointing response. I will continue to pursue this matter vigorously," says McGrath.
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