Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister's comment that local authorities were not able to manage and operate water systems in the past. Government policy at the time was that local authorities had to enter into design, build and operate contracts to provide infrastructure. It was not that they were incapable of providing infrastructure but that they had no choice other than to follow Government policy. It was made clear by previous Governments that if local authorities wanted to take the conventional route, they would not be given the funding needed to provide the infrastructure they required. I make this point to correct the record. The Minister outlined the position in Cork where I understand a design, build and operate contract was used.