Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have not come across situations where local authorities have failed to take in charge group water schemes in circumstances where those responsible for such schemes wanted this to happen. I am conscious of the cumbersome directives which may come into place in the future in respect of the maintenance and management of group schemes. It could be that complying with such directives could prove too costly for existing schemes. If the eventuality to which I refer arises, will the taking in charge of schemes by the new authority be as seamless as has been the case heretofore?