Sinn Féin TD and Environment Spokesperson Brian Stanley has criticised Irish Water's response to the revelation of lead piping in the water system as "disgraceful".

Mr Stanley's comments come after the utility provider sent letters to 26,000 households in the country informing customers of a possible lead plumbing connection, which was uncovered as part of the water meter installation programme. It is thought thousands more homes could also have lead plumbing.

However, Irish Water has said that while they are contacting people to let them know they have identified lead connection pipes, they have also said the internal plumbing is the responsibility of the homeowner.

Stanley has also criticised the amount of money that has been "wasted" on the introduction of water charges, with a "complete lack of proactive measures being taken by Irish Water."

-- Advertisement --

He said: "Once again, we are faced with the sheer apathy in which Irish Water hold the presence of lead pipes in the network. It is disgraceful how little concern they have for the presence of lead in the water supply.

"The government are only now coming to grips with the crisis with promises of a grant system for removal in the next budget. The government and Irish Water have both floundered since the introduction of water charges.

"The Water Framework Directive on which Irish Water and water charges are based is concerned primarily with the removal of contamination of the water supply.

"The removal of lead piping should be the first objective of Irish Water, not spending €86 million on consultants who told them to spend a further €22 million on sending out bills that a majority of Irish people have rejected."

He continued: "It is clear once more that Irish Water is not fit for purpose. They have admitted it will take ten years to deal with the problem of lead pipes and will not act proactively to remove lead.

"Sinn Féin would question the ability of Irish Water to complete the task at even this lengthy timeframe. The company must be scrapped and a public body that is committed to providing clean, fresh water set up. We don't need domestic water charges, we need safe drinking water."

(JP)