Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State states this is a practical measure intended simply to transfer exemptions enjoyed by local authorities to Irish Water. I put it to him that it points to the folly and impracticality of separating responsibility for water services provision from the local authorities. Notwithstanding his promises that Irish Water will not be privatised, as it stands, it is reported that 25 private companies, some of them multinational companies, are carrying out various works, maintenance and other operations for Irish Water.