Mattie McGrath: Irish Water failures are out of control
Mattie McGrath challenged the government over reforms to Irish Water after widespread ‘wild water’ notices disrupted services in South Tipperary. He warned that repeated outages and poor communication are forcing businesses to close, damaging farming operations and undermining public confidence in water services.
Mattie McGrath detailed how last week alone 28,000 homes across South Tipperary, were hit by wild water notices. He described prolonged notices in places such as Tipperary town and said the lack of information to public representatives is unacceptable in 2026.
McGrath criticised ongoing executive top-ups and bonuses at Irish Water while services fail, asking where the accountability lies. He blamed decisions made under then-Minister Hogan and said the current governance arrangement prevents deputies from properly questioning Irish Water in Dáil Éireann.
In response, he called for Irish Water to be made accountable to the Dáil through parliamentary question and proposed a workgroup to determine how to bring the organisation under stronger parliamentary oversight. He warned that without reform, the repeated outages will continue to damage small businesses, farms and public trust.
The address asks the House to consider practical options for reforming Irish Water’s accountability and to ensure affected constituents and representatives receive better communication and redress. McGrath said he will press Irish Water directly on the boiled water notices and urges parliamentary action on oversight.
Immediate problem and local impact
Mattie McGrath detailed how last week alone 28,000 homes across South Tipperary, were hit by wild water notices. He described prolonged notices in places such as Tipperary town and said the lack of information to public representatives is unacceptable in 2026.
Accountability and causes
McGrath criticised ongoing executive top-ups and bonuses at Irish Water while services fail, asking where the accountability lies. He blamed decisions made under then-Minister Hogan and said the current governance arrangement prevents deputies from properly questioning Irish Water in Dáil Éireann.
Proposed oversight and consequences
In response, he called for Irish Water to be made accountable to the Dáil through parliamentary question and proposed a workgroup to determine how to bring the organisation under stronger parliamentary oversight. He warned that without reform, the repeated outages will continue to damage small businesses, farms and public trust.
Political context and next steps
The address asks the House to consider practical options for reforming Irish Water’s accountability and to ensure affected constituents and representatives receive better communication and redress. McGrath said he will press Irish Water directly on the boiled water notices and urges parliamentary action on oversight.
We publish thousands of recordings to make Irish politics transparent and resistant to manipulation. Spotted an error? Report it — together we are building a reliable archive of Irish politics.
Other speeches
Tego samego dnia All speeches from this day →
Richard O'Donoghue
Richard O'Donoghue: Investigate Wind Farm Health Concerns
Joe O'Reilly
Joe O'Reilly: Defending Rural Energy Relief
Victor Boyhan
Victor Boyhan: Protect Dublin Council Powers in Taskforce Rollout
Martin Daly
Martin Daly Questions Government on Industrial Hemp Policy
Sharon Keogan
Sharon Keogan: 3-Year Sunset for Military Deployments
Brendan Smith
Brendan Smith: Landmark all‑Ireland university partnership
Transcript
I want to ask you what plans your government have about reforms to Iska Eireann, because they're totally out of control, following their continued failure to deliver on the core responsibility of providing safe, secure and reliable water supply. Last week alone, 28,000 homes across South Tipperary, from Caliginshire right up to Tipperary town, businesses were affected by wild water notices. That is simply unacceptable in 2026. These notices, along with repeated unplanned outages, are not just an inconvenience. They force businesses to close, disrupt farming operations, place huge pressures on families and small businesses, and undermine confidence in Irish water. People are asking how these failures can continue, while Iska Eireann executives continue to receive generous top-ups and bonuses. Where is the accountability in town? Einstein, I think, said that the evolution of insanity was doing the same thing over and over again. A week goes by with deputies from all over the country raising this here, and we have no access to Irish water. It's just a complete farce. Tipperary town has had a wild water notice since February, likely to be on it now until October. Absolutely no information coming to public representatives or to the public. And how long can this madness continue? It's been a failure set up by Minister Hogan and your government. It must be stood down and massively reformed, because it's just not fair. I have a company in Calmaire. We've been to 40,000 soft drinks companies for buying clean water, and no satisfaction from Irish water. It's not acceptable. Firstly, thank you, Deputy Maguire. As is often the case, I agree with some of what you say and disagree with some of what you say too. I actually think the establishment of Ischgáire and to have one national body in relation to coordinating and directing a very significant level of investment into water, water quality, water services, the water supply we need for our housing, is a good thing. I genuinely believe that, and I stand over that decision. But there are two other issues that you've raised, one in relation to the boiled water notices in your constituency and the very significant impact that that's had on your constituents. I will raise that with Irish Water and ask that they come back to you directly. The second issue is one around accountability of Irish water. It's my very clear view. I'm only one member of this House. It's for the House, I think, to consider this. But it's my very clear view that Ischgáire and should be accountable to Dáil Éireann through parliamentary question. I don't understand why they're not, because it was intended to be set up in a different way. You remember those battles. You referenced my former colleague, then Minister Hogan. But it hasn't been established in that way, and therefore I think it should be covered. I don't think it's acceptable, and I don't blame the Ciann Comhairle or Alasdair Ciann Comhairle. Far from it. But at the moment, if a deputy asks a question in relation to Ischgáire, it's ruled out of order. If you ask a question in relation to the HSE, the Minister answers it and refers it to the HSE. I think we need to have a workgroup, whatever the appropriate Members' Interests Committee or Octas Commission here is, to work out how we're going to bring accountability. This is an organisation that has vast sums of public money, and your frustration is shared, I know, by deputies across the House. Thank you.