Lucinda challenges John Gormley on the Poolbeg Incinerator on Week in Politics – click link to open RTE real player:

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Lucinda recently contacted Dublin City Council again to complain about the lack of communication with local residents and businesses about what exactly is happening with the water supply, when they should expect cuts, and when they can expect normal service to resume. She also complained that certain areas are taking the brunt of the cuts in way which seems unfair and unequitable. She reseived the following response, which although lengthy, is worth reproducing in full, as it deals with Sandymount, Rathmines and other areas of Dublin South East as well as giving an overview of the situation.

Update on the Water Supply Situation February 5th 2010

At the City Council Meeting on 1st February 2010 it was agreed that a further report on the water supply situation would be issued. The situation since Monday night has been somewhat difficult. Due to the continuous high level of demand being placed on the Roundwood Water Treatment Plant and the necessity to carry out essential filter bed cleaning works there has been a reduction of 15 million litres per day in output from the plant. Coupled with this a rise in demand occurred when some restrictions were eased in order to improve levels of service to customers. Read the rest of this entry »

Cuts to Dental, Optical and Aural Treatment Schemes Unacceptable

I thank the Minister of State for taking this Adjournment matter. I wish to raise the issue of the abolition of the PRSI scheme for dental and optical services for people throughout this State. I wish to put on record that my party and I are more than disappointed by the scrapping in the recent budget of essential services for which people pay. The full impact and implications of this course have not yet been realised by the public at large. However, people will realise this as the year progresses. They will make appointments to have their regular checkups, to have their teeth cleaned or to undergo the usual treatments they have come to expect under the PRSI scheme, only to find they are no longer available to them. Read the rest of this entry »

There are general pressure reductions across all areas of the city.

Areas and times where severe restrictions are in place.

7pm Wed 03/02/2010 to 7am Thur 04/02/2010

• Longmile Road to Kimmage including Crumlin, Drimnagh and surrounding areas
• Baggot Street Bridge to Irishtown southwards to Ballsbridge
• Morehampton/Stillorgan Road to the Coast including Ballsbridge, Sandymont, Merrion Road and surrounding areas
• Rialto Bridge to Charlemont Bridge along the north side of South Circular Road to Kevin Street

Current areas experiencing difficulties (investigations by water staff ongoing)

• Kenilworth Square South
• Harold’s Cross – Larkfield Avenue/ Larkfield Gardens
• St. Johns Road, Sandymount and surrounding areas
• Parts of Dublin 8

Tanker Location

• St. Johns Road, Sandymount

Other mobile tankers will be on roaming duties in areas without water. Tenders will be available to provide water to hospitals, nursing homes and schools.

Please call 222 0600 to arrange for a tanker to call to the elderly or those most at need. They will be available depending on demand.

Both mobile and stationary tankers will need to be replenished and therefore may need to leave the area for a short time. Your co-operation and patience is greatly appreciated.

There are general pressure reductions across all areas of the city.

Areas and times where severe restrictions are in place

7pm Mon 01/02/2010 to 7am Tue 02/02/2010

• Baggot Street Bridge to Irishtown southwards to Ballsbridge
• Morehampton/Stillorgan Road to the Coast including Ballsbridge, Sandymont, Merrion Road and surrounding areas
• Rialto Bridge to Charlemont Bridge along the north side of South Circular Road to Kevin Street

Current areas experiencing difficulties (investigations by water staff ongoing)

• Kenilworth Square South
• Harold’s Cross – Larkfield Avenue/ Larkfield Gardens
• St. Johns Road, Sandymount

Tanker Locations

• The Tower Court Apartments, St Johns Road, Sandymount

Mobile tankers will be on roaming duties in areas without water

Tenders will be available to provide water to hospitals, nursing homes and schools.

Please call 222 0600 to arrange for a tanker to call to the elderly or those most at need. They will be available depending on demand.