I take this opportunity to compliment all the front-line workers, the ESB and local
authority workers, the fire services, the Civil Defence and the many people in our
sporting and voluntary organisations who really rose to the challenge of helping
people, particularly people who are vulnerable and those who were without power,
connectivity or a water supply in their homes. There is a lesson for the ESB at
corporate level, at board level, and at chief executive and senior management level
regarding what is being done about more and more investment in the grid over the
years. I mentioned yesterday – I raised this on plenty of occasions in this House
previously – the need to ensure the transmission line corridors are free of obstacles.
That has not been done. Forests and plantations have not been maintained to a
proper standard. In my county and neighbouring counties, a main source of
problems has been falling trees damaging and breaking ESB transmission lines.
There has been blanket forestry in place and that is not acceptable. This
Government must tackle that by ensuring that there is an even spread of forestry
plantations throughout the country and that some communities are not under siege,
which is what is happening in some areas due to the growth of more and more
forestry plantations. It can be done. There can be an even spread of plantations
throughout the country but that must be addressed as urgently as possible.
One thing that always concerns me – it concerned me in the many debates we had
here during Covid – is the need for us to ensure we reach the vulnerable and hard-to-
reach people. A protocol must be put in place to ensure our statutory agencies- the
HSE, our local authorities, An Post or the ESB – work together to ensure there is a
knowledge of all people who are vulnerable. I know from engaging with officials at
local level there is a reluctance at times to disclose information because of GDPR. I
appreciate that but there must be a protocol to ensure that when an emergency
arises, the statutory agencies know who may be vulnerable and who needs to be
contacted to ensure they are safe and well. That can be addressed at national level.
We should not be leaving it until the next storm. We should be addressing those
issues now. I want to pay tribute to the people in our statutory agencies who worked
extremely hard and to the many sporting and voluntary organisations that are
continuing to provide much-needed support to people who unfortunately are still
without electricity, water supplies and connectivity in their homes.

Large numbers of my constituents in Cavan–Monaghan are still without their electricity
supply. Most of those people have difficulties with their telephone and broadband
connectivity. Life is extremely difficult for people with health ailments and dependent on
medical devices.
The major cause of the power outage in our area has been trees falling on ESB transmission lines. It is clear that the corridors for ESB lines are not being maintained to the proper standard. If they were, we would not have such problems with trees falling and with other overgrown vegetation. Over the years, through parliamentary questions, I have repeatedly asked that a vigorous inspection programme be put in place to ensure plantations owned by Coillte and private landowners are properly maintained. Very regrettably, this has not happened. These issues need to be addressed now. If a small-scale livestock farmer slightly erred in their farming practices, they would have inspections and penalties imposed. Why is it not the same for large-scale forestry plantation owners? I compliment the ESB workers and all the other front-line workers on their efforts.

I thank Deputy Smith for his commentary. One of the most immediate tasks is to ensure we have proper corridors wherever the transmission lines are. West Roscommon and Leitrim have huge issues with forests falling, or whole lines of Sitka spruce falling like dominoes onto the line. That can no longer be tolerated. We have asked the Ministers responsible –there has to be collaboration between Departments – to ensure we nail this once and for all to have clear space in order to prevent this type of thing from recurring. Then we need to go further by ensuring road safety and addressing further danger to power lines. When power lines come down, it is a huge health and safety issue for people.

Very glad to support Annagh Group Water Scheme in their ongoing work over last few days to get power restored and have the treatment plant functioning again.
A welcome relief for a large number of households, farmers and businesses.

Monday, 27 January 2025: Uisce Éireann is making progress restoring a water supply to Monaghan customers after seven of the county’s water treatment plants lost power during Storm Éowyn. 

Power has been restored at four of those plants. Uisce Éireann is running two of the plants on generators with another generator on route to the remaining water treatment plant. 

Uisce Éireann’s Peadar McGuinness explained that the majority of Uisce Éireann’s customers affected in Monaghan have seen their supply return with crews on the ground working to deploy generators and provide alternative water supplies in areas where water has been off for longer periods. 

“We apologise to customers who have been without water for a few days and ask for the public’s continued patience during this challenging time. In areas where water supply has been out for longer periods, our teams are working to provide alternative water supplies and we currently have 50 locations around the country where alternative supplies are in place. More will be deployed today, and we will be updating our website and providing information to local stakeholders about their locations. 

“We are also providing additional supports for elderly and vulnerable customers, and we could encourage people to contact our customer care team at 1800 278 278 if additional support is needed.”

Peadar is also urging customers to conserve water where possible in order to protect supply while the outages are resolved. There are some simple steps people can take to conserve their water, such as avoiding the use of water-intensive appliances during this time. To learn more about conserving water, visit www.water.ie/conserve.

To support customers, alternative water supplies are in place at the following locations: 

• Behind Monaghan Court House (pipe stand provided)
• Aughnamullen GAA Club
• Castleblayney, Commons Car Park
• Civic Offices, Carrickmacross 

Alternative water supplies are also on route and will be in place in Smithboro Town Centre from this afternoon. Customers are reminded to use their own containers when taking water from tankers and to boil water before consumption as a precautionary measure.

Monday, 27 January 2025: A Boil Water Notice (BWN) is being issued to protect the health of approximately 2,159 customers supplied by Belturbet Public Water Supply Scheme due to water treatment process issues arising from the power outages as a result of Storm Éowyn. 

The impacted areas include all customers served by the Belturbet Public Water Supply Scheme including those supplied by Derryvoney Group Water Scheme. A map of the impacted area is also attached. 
 
Customers can check if their property is included by visiting the Water Quality section and entering the property’s Eircode or by calling the Uisce Éireann’s customer care helpline, open 24/7, on 1800 278 278. 
    
 Drinking water experts from Uisce Éireann are working to rectify the issues at the treatment plant and lift the notice as quickly and as safely as possible, in consultation with the HSE. In the meantime, all customers on this supply are advised to boil water before use until further notice.

Public health is Uisce Éireann’s number one priority and we would like to assure customers that the notice has been put in place to protect public health. We acknowledge the inconvenience caused to homes and businesses and would like to assure customers that we are working to resolve the issue and lift the notice as quickly and as safely possible.
    
  Uisce Éireann’s drinking water standards, as per EU Drinking Water regulations, are strict and include wide safety margins. Where risks to water quality are identified through Uisce Éireann’s enhanced testing and monitoring programme, the Health Service Executive (HSE) are consulted and Boil Water Notices are issued to protect public health. In all instances immediate action is taken to address the cause of the issue to enable the lifting of the notice as quickly as it safe to do so, in agreement with the HSE.
    
   Vulnerable customers who have registered with Uisce Éireann receive direct communication on Boil Water Notices. Customers are reminded that the water is safe to consume once boiled.
    
    Water must be boiled for:

• Drinking;
• Drinks made with water;
• Preparation of salads and similar foods, which are not cooked prior to eating;
• Brushing of teeth;
• Making of ice – discard ice cubes in fridges and freezers and filtered water in fridges. Make ice from cooled boiled water.

What actions should be taken:

• Use water prepared for drinking when preparing foods that will not be cooked (e.g. washing salads);
• Water can be used for personal hygiene, bathing and flushing of toilets but not for brushing teeth or gargling;
• Boil water by bringing to a vigorous, rolling boil (e.g. with an automatic kettle) and allow to cool. Cover and store in a refrigerator or cold place. Water from the hot tap is not safe to drink. Domestic water filters will not render water safe to drink;
• Caution should be taken when bathing children to ensure that they do not swallow the bathing water;
• Preparing Infant Formula: Where a Boil Water Notice is in place, you can prepare infant formula from tap water that has been boiled once (rolling boil for 1 minute) and cooled beforehand. Bottled water can also be used to make up infant formula. All bottled water, with the exception of natural mineral water, is regulated to the same standard as drinking water. It is best not to use bottled water labelled as ‘Natural Mineral Water’ as it can have high levels of sodium (salt) and other minerals, although it rarely does. ‘Natural Mineral Water’ can be used if no other water is available, for as short a time as possible, as it is important to keep babies hydrated. If bottled water is used to make up infant formula it should be boiled once (rolling boil for 1 minute), and cooled in the normal way. Ready-to-use formula that does not need added water can also be used.

Great care should be taken with boiled water to avoid burns and scalds as accidents can easily happen, especially with children.

Sunday, 26 January 2025: Water supply is returning to Uisce Éireann customers across County Cavan after power was restored to Cootehill and Kingscourt Water Treatment Plants. 

Uisce Éireann’s Peter Gallagher thanked the ESB and water services crews who have worked tirelessly throughout the night to get both plants back in operation. 

“There is some good news for customers in Cavan this afternoon however it will take some time for the network to replenish and a full supply to return to all customers served by Cootehill and Kingscourt Public Water Supply Schemes.

“Those affected by power outages in areas where supply is pumped will continue to experience a disruption to their supply until power is restored.”

Meanwhile, power outage at other plants across the county, due to storm Éowyn, continue to affect supplies in parts of:

• Ballyjamesduff
• Bailieborough
•  Belturbet
• Ballyconnell
• Swanlinbar
• Virginia
•  Mullagh

“We continue to coordinate with other agencies to restore normal water supplies as quickly as possible. Once power is returned to an area it may take some time for normal water supply to be restored. Customers can go to www.water.ie and enter their address for details of localised issues and estimated restoration times.”

Uisce Éireann’s customer care team is available to help 24/7 on 1800 278 278 and customers can also contact us on X @IWCare with any queries.

Uisce Éireann has also launched a free text service, providing real-time updates for local issues. Customers can sign up with their Eircode and mobile number at www.water.ie. 

Vulnerable customers who have registered with Uisce Éireann receive direct communications from us for planned and unplanned outages lasting more than four hours. 

The Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary has confirmed that the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme will be available to provide support to those living in properties directly affected Storm Éowyn.

The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme prevents hardship by providing income-tested financial support to people whose homes are damaged from flooding and severe weather events and who are unable to meet costs for essential needs, household items and structural repair.

In dealing with emergency events the department generally adopts a three-stage approach as follows:

Stage 1 provides emergency support payments for food, clothing and personal items in the immediate aftermath of the event

Stage 2 involves the replacement of white goods, basic furniture items and other essential household items

Stage 3 is to identify what longer term financial support is required, including plastering, dry-lining, relaying of floors, electrical re-wiring and painting

If any homeowner affected by severe weather needs to access these supports, Community Welfare Services staff will be available if and as required, over the weekend and the service can be contacted at:
phone 087 2895001 from 10am to 4.30pm Saturday and Sunday (this phoneline is for Humanitarian Assistance Scheme emergencies only).
outside of these hours please email DNCWS@welfare.ie . All emails are monitored.

Uisce Éireann crews working across Co Cavan to restore water supplies

Saturday, 25 January, 2025: Uisce Éireann crews are on the ground across Co Cavan working to restore water supplies. 

Following Storm Éowyn, power outages continue at Cavan’s eight water treatment plants with power loss at pumping stations also impacting water supplies across the county. 

Nationally, approximately 120,000 people across the country have no water this afternoon following Storm Éowyn. An additional 150,000 people are now being supplied by schemes where generators have been deployed by Uisce Éireann crews. Supplies for a further 275,000 people are at risk in areas where power is yet to be restored.

The impacts are being felt nationwide, with areas without water across the North West and in counties Kerry, Clare, Tipperary, Cavan, Monaghan, Longford and Laois. Updates on local supplies issues will be provided on the Úisce Eireann website, www.water.ie, as they become available.

Head of Water Operations at Uisce Éireann Margaret Attridge noted that while positive progress had been made overnight, the number of people now experiencing loss of supply due to power outages may increase as reservoir levels drop.

“This unprecedented storm event has had a severe impact on our water and wastewater network nationwide. Our crews are on the ground in all impacted areas working to restore water service as quickly as possible but given the extent of the damage to the power network, it may take some time before full service is restored everywhere. We ask for the public’s continued patience during this challenging time.

“In locations where water supplies have been impacted for longer periods, we are deploying alternative water supplies. Details of these supplies and their locations will be posted across our website and social media channels as they become available,” she added.

Margaret is also urging customers to conserve water where possible in order to protect supply while the outages are resolved. There are some simple steps people can take to conserve their water, such as avoiding the use of water-intensive appliances during this time. 

To learn more about conserving water, visit www.water.ie/conserve.

Customers can stay informed about their local water supply by visiting www.water.ie, via Uisce Éireann’s X feed, @IWCare, or by signing up for our free text alert service via the website. Alternatively get in touch via our 24/7 customer care centre at 1800 278 278. 

“I welcome the decision by the Minister for Education Norma Foley TD to issue initial project approval in respect of the provision of additional accommodation at Butlersbridge National School.

This accommodation will provide for a Special Education Teaching room and will enhance the school’s existing facilities.

I wish the Principal Niall Clerkin, his staff colleagues, Board of Management and Parents’ Association every success with their work for the local school community” stated Brendan Smith TD

I welcome the announcement by my colleague Norma Foley TD Minister for Education that approval has now issued for a new permanent school for Gaelscoil Bhréifne.

This school has an increasing enrolment and I compliment the Principal, Niamh Ní Cheallaigh and her colleagues along with the Board of Management on their initiative in progressing this project