Blogging from the Bog

   We have not been disappointed with our politicians and their handling of the drinking water crisis in Galway.  In typical Irish fashion they have passed the buck and the blame back and forth so many times that all we know for sure is that the water is still contaminated with those nasty Crypto bugeens.

   Upwards of 200 people have now been stricken with illness and though the rate of affliction is slowing (because they are boiling the water) more and more casualties are expected.  Seemingly the crisis is expected to last for months and will have a detrimental effect on all aspects of life in the city and its’ surrounding areas.

   It was reported that the EPA announced on the 24th of March, in the midst of the crisis, that as much as 20% of the country’s water supply could be contaminated with Cryptosporidium.  The Environmental Protection Agency, headed by Dr. Mary Kelly, has only published its’  State of the Environment Report for 12 May 2004 recently and within it contained facts and figures of the condition of drinking water supplies nationwide.  They are disastrous and why it has taken three years to publish these findings is beyond me.

   Galway was considered the "fastest growing city in Europe" until recently and the growth was remarkable indeed.  Everything but the infrastructure had money plowed into it, housing, hotels, and commercial spaces leading the way.  Now it seems 100,000 of these overpriced premises have no better drinking water than some villages in Third World countries.

   There is a catch-phrase being quoted very often around here these days by visionaries of local and national politicians and planners that simply says "Go forward".  A noble and progressive concept to be sure, my only comment is that before you go anywhere "open your eyes" first!