Leitrim councillor airs frustration at lack of communication with Uisce Éireann

Frustrations were raised at a meeting of the Manorhamilton Municipal District over what was described as a breakdown, or lack, of communication with Uisce Éireann via its public representatives’ line.

Cllr Mary Bohan called on the MD to urge Uisce Éireann to provide an improved service to local public representatives in relation to outages and general constituent queries.

Cllr Bohan told the meeting that she contacted the line last weekend when an outage occurred and was informed that the issue would be resolved by 6pm that evening.

However, the outage was still ongoing later that night, prompting her to call again the following morning, when she was told there was no record of her previous call and no record of the outage.

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“I don’t want to demonise the staff that answer the phone because they are very helpful in so far as they can,” she said, adding that she believes the issue lies with the system under which staff are required to operate.

The outage was eventually repaired at 3pm on the Tuesday, two days after it first occurred.

“It is an unsatisfactory way for public representatives to deal with it,” said Cllr Bohan, noting that public representatives are often the first point of contact for constituents during outages and stressing the need to write formally to Uisce Éireann on the matter.

It was agreed that Uisce Éireann would be contacted regarding the issue.

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Cllr Bohan also asked whether further works could be carried out on the wall and surrounding area on the Dowra Road between Drumkeeran village and the church.

In response, the Roads Department confirmed that the District Engineer will assess the works and revert with a reply.