Louth's flooded farmland among local issues raised in Dáil

Bad water pressure, unaffordable housing and flooded farmland were among the issues raised by Louth Sinn Féin TD Ruairí Ó Murchú in Leinster House last week, during a wide-ranging speech that highlighted some of the problems facing Dundalk and north Louth.

The Dundalk deputy was speaking during a debate about the Future Ireland Fund and he took aim at the affordable housing scheme in Louth, which saw five of the ten houses that were up for grabs put back on the private market.

Deputy Ó Murchú said: "Even though extra time was allowed, only five of the 26 applicants qualified for the scheme. Louth County Council stated that the criteria in the Government's scheme were the issue. This needs to be looked at. In Dundalk and County Louth in general, a price of €305,000 is not affordable for a lot of people."

Uisce Éireann also came under fire from the Sinn Féin TD. He said: "Like many others, I believe we need to look at Uisce Éireann and developments. We have been dealing with brown water for a considerable period. It is caused by manganese. Uisce Éireann has promised a pilot scheme which will, I hope, find a solution. I have been asking for updates on that. 

"I would like an update for the people in the Bay Estate, who are my neighbours, and in all of the estates off Tom Bellew Avenue where there is an issue with water pressure. We were told these homes do not have the correct valve that can determine demand fluctuations.

"At times, the water pressure drops below 1.5 bar, sometimes to 1.1 bar. That impacts people in terms of shower use and people are spending a huge amount of money. I have been told this will be completed by quarter 2, which could mean the end of June, but I need to follow up. I have submitted requests."

There had been a Drainage Area Plan mooted by Uisce Éireann, but detail is scant, he said, and there are wider questions about infrastructural deficits and the ability to deal with wastewater and flooding.

Deputy Ó Murchú also asked about the possibility of providing a funding scheme for farmers in north Louth who experienced damage due to flooding. He said: "I know Teagasc has been out and has carried out surveys on farms. If it is possible for the Minister for Agriculture to go slightly off topic to give some information on that, Councillor Antóin Watters and I would be delighted. I could go on."

Speaking afterwards, Deputy Ó Murchú said he had spoken to Minister Charlie McConalogue who told him that his team would look at the Teagasc report and would respond to it in a "timely" way.