Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It may be regulated, but the issue is that the Government should be collectively responsible for the protection, management and maintenance of the public water system. If group water schemes are part of the system that is providing water for the public, we need to be able to define it. That is all I am saying. I am not arguing that group water schemes are in public control. However, the question as to whether they are part of the public water system needs to be clarified. If, in the past, Cork County Council relied on a private company to build and operate a wastewater treatment plant in Youghal, Cobh or elsewhere and the plant is still being run under a 20-year contract as part of a public private partnership, it is in private ownership and being run privately while being paid for by the State through a local authority. Such a facility is clearly not in public ownership, even though it is very much contributing to the public water system. These are the issues we must nail down. Interestingly, Irish Water is, by and large, opting to build and operate its own water treatment facilities, as opposed to engaging in public private partnerships. However, it will partner with private companies in availing of engineering expertise, specialisation and so on.

To reiterate an earlier point made, we are not undermining normal, sensible efficiency operations around wastewater and drinking water. I take the point that overall responsibility for the operation needs to rest with the State, through government, something Deputy Joan Collins is also trying to achieve.

I am glad to note a change in the language used on the issue of water services. It is encouraging to hear the words "hugging the Government" used.