More than 60 water samples from a South Tipperary supply scheme reportedly exceeded aluminium guidelines, with some readings reaching up to 12 times EU limits, the Dáil has heard.
Speaking today, Independent TD Mattie McGrath said that South Tipperary’s water crisis has “exposed a serious failure of accountability at the heart of our water governance system.”
The Deputy said that a month-long delay in issuing a Do Not Consume notice over aluminium contamination in the water supply scheme has prompted fresh questions over Uisce Éireann’s accountability.
Deputy McGrath said that the HSE was informed about aluminium exceedance on 9 September this year but a do not consume order was not issued until 9 October, which was a month later.
A boil-water notice remains in place, meaning residents must continue boiling their water before drinking it or using it for certain purposes.
Continuing infrastructure problems, including concerns about burst pipes and unresolved water-supply issues, have also plagued residents in South Tipperary.
The crisis prompted a public meeting at the Talbot Hotel last night, attended by hundreds of residents, where local representatives heard concerns and frustrations.
It comes several months after it was revealed that Uisce Éireann CEO Niall Gleeson received a €118,000 increase in his overall pay package for 2026, a rise of approximately 43%.
Gleeson defended the increase, which received Ministerial approval, at the Oireachtas Committee of Public Accounts last month, saying it followed an independent review of chief executive salaries across commercial State bodies.
“More than 60 of the 72 samples exceeded guideline levels with some exceedance up to 12 times EU limits,” said McGrath, who sharply criticised what he said was a lack of accountability for the public.
“Families and businesses were left in the dark while agencies passed the responsibility from one to another,” he said.
McGrath said the situation related to the Ardfinnan scheme was “shocking.”
“It was two and a half times the WHO limits,” he said of aluminium levels.
“The public deserves answers as to why it was more than a month before the do not consume notice was issued. Who knew? When did they know? Why was action not taken sooner? Who made the decision to wait for a month before issuing a warning?”
“The HSE said it is a matter for the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA. The EPA says it does not provide public health advice and directs questions back to the HSE.
“The Minister for Health says it is an operational matter for Uisce Éireann. The role of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, CRU, has been virtually invisible throughout the crisis. The obvious questions are: who is accountable, who is going to be accountable and who is going to take charge of this?”
The Clonmel TD said a meeting was held on the issue last night, covering the whole of South Tipperary.
“Please, we must make somebody accountable. We must have answers for the public, county councils, including local councillors, and Oireachtas Members. It is not happening at the moment. That is not right,” said McGrath.
Minister of State John Cummins acknowledged shortcomings in Uisce Éireann’s communication but defended its independent operational status.
“Press releases will not give us clean water, lift a boil water notice or fix the burst pipes,” replied McGrath.
On the difficulty of getting access to Uisce Éireann’s chief executive, he said: “I have met the Pope. I have met the President of America. That was much easier than meeting the invisible CEO of Uisce Éireann.”
He accused the utility of avoiding responsibility as he described the ongoing situation as a democratic deficit.
McGrath revealed during the exchange that he has drafted a Water Services Accountability Bill 2026.
This, he said, would make the utility more directly answerable to the Dáil and the responsible government minister.
He says the legislation would establish clear accountability between Uisce Éireann and the responsible government minister.
“No public body should be beyond democratic scrutiny,” he said, adding: “No public body should avoid accountability by using operational measures.”