Denis Landy (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the delegation for its attendance. I would like to deal with a number of matters. First, I have not seen any reference to other areas related to water, such as drainage, septic tank inspections, flooding and water recovery and removal. Will the organisation take over such areas, or will they remain with the local authorities?

I have a question on the staffing situation post-2017. In the document supplied it was stated that a consultative group, chaired by Mr. Kevin Foley, was set up to deal with the matter. Has the group met? If so, what progress was made? Like Deputy Coffey, I come from a rural area and I have spoken to many staff members in recent months. They are concerned about their jobs as 2017 is only a couple of years away. Many of the staff are young and they want to know what will happen to their jobs post-2017.

Third, I have a question on the assets of local authorities such as water treatment plants. At present most local authorities have maintenance contracts with private operators and each local authority within a group of local authorities pays an annual fee. What will happen to the contracts and to ones that are close to renewal? Will local authorities renew them? Will the organisation provide guidance?

Deputy Kevin Humphreys used the word "oversight", but I would use the word "accountability". Where does accountability lie? The delegation stated that the new body would be answerable to an Oireachtas committee. I was a member of a local authority for 23 years. When there was a problem to do with water, local authority members could approach the director of water services. Whom will local authority members approach now? Whom will a locally elected representative or Oireachtas representative approach to rectify problems and ensure maintenance is carried out?