The building of much-needed housing in Ballinasloe depends on its water infrastructure – but Uisce Éireann is refusing to clarify if there is capacity to cope with new developments.

That’s what a meeting of Ballinasloe Municipal District heard as Cllr Dermot Connolly (SF) blasted the water utility provider for failing to answer questions from the County Council.

“Uisce Éireann has responsibility for water and wastewater and they both have huge significance for the future development of our County Town here in Ballinasloe,” he said.

Cllr Alan Harney (FG) raised the issue and said councillors had previously directed the Executive to seek answers from Uisce Éireann, specifically on the security of Ballinasloe’s water supply.

Senior Executive Engineer, Derek Troy, said that in response to queries from the Executive, Uisce Éireann had instructed that councillors should, “if they have any particular queries, address them directly to Uisce Éireann”.

“I have asked about capacity in relation to water and waste water, but I didn’t get a reply,” he said.

Cllr Connolly said the lack of information was leading to uncertainty and stymieing development.

“Uisce Éreann told Government that they need ‘so many’ billion to fund infrastructure. But that’s mostly for Leinster. We don’t want to be forgotten about,” he said, demanding that officials “come back with something concrete” about future infrastructure needs.

Meanwhile, councillors have sought an update on when a promised review into Ballinasloe’s Local Area Plan (LAP) will take place.

Cllr Evelyn Parsons (Ind) said more information on this review, and the review of the overall County Development Plan, was needed.

“We put an awful lot of good stuff into the County Development Plan,” she said.

Cllr Connolly said they needed a breakdown of what had happened out of these plans, and what remained to be acted on.

Pictured: Cllr Alan Harney.