Mr. Michael Kirrane:

To go back to the Deputy's first questions on the rules on phone use and so on in the centres, there is a set of house rules drawn up for each centre. The rules are not designed to be restrictive but to recognise that other residents exist in the centre and that they are entitled to their quietness and privacy after certain times of the day. Any complaints of that nature can be dealt with under the new directive. There is a basis for doing that. The other thing is that the Ombudsman can now investigate any complaints in respect of the operation of a centre. The Ombudsman for Children can also investigate any changes. I am not directly responsible for the direct provision system or for the Reception and Integration Agency, but I know from talking to my colleagues that they are balancing the rights of other residents to quiet and so on with everybody else's rights. That is what they are constantly trying to do. It is not about trying to prevent people from carrying on their normal lives in a normal manner. On the issue of access to water, I became aware of this some time last weekend. As far as I am aware, everybody is absolutely astounded by this. The idea that anybody does not have access to drinking water is a complete anathema to us.