Martin McGuinness summons officials over response to thaw

SINN FÉIN deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has been at his desk in Stormont Castle this morning seeking urgent answers from officials and from NI Water on the response to the recent thaw.

McGuinness, who yesterday visited householders affected by flooding and a cut in supply, said:

Yesterday, along with Minister Conor Murphy, I visited householders in Lurgan and Coalisland directly affected by both flooding and a cut in the water supply.

I have also been in contact with party colleagues across the North in the past few days.

There is a general consensus that both NI Water and the Housing Executive have not responded effectively in many instances. This is not good enough.

This morning, I have summoned officials to Stormont Castle for a number of meetings.

In the afternoon, along with Conor Murphy, I will visit NI Water for urgent meetings with senior managers at that company.

While obviously in the time ahead there will be a need for a fuller inquiry into the response, in the immediate term the priority must be to see supplies restored and burst pipes in homes repaired.