Sinn Féin TD and spokesperson for Dublin Denise Mitchell has described the announcement of a second boil water notice in Dublin in as many months as “both a source of stress and cost that some may not be able to afford”, and said that this “demonstrates a severe lack of capacity and confidence in their infrastructure”.

The Dublin Bay North TD said:

“This second boil water notice comes as a result of the heavy rainfall yesterday. The fact that Irish Water are unable to guarantee the quality of 20% of the fresh drinking water for Dublin demonstrates a severe lack of capacity and confidence in their infrastructure.

“With climate change at the top of everyone’s agenda and the likelihood of weather such as this becoming more frequent, it is essential that all water treatment plants are upgraded so as to be able to handle storms and heavy rainfall.

“That hundreds of thousands of people are yet again subjected to a boil water notice and may feel forced to rely on bottled water is both a source of stress and cost that some may not be able to afford.”