Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

I have two questions and I will ask both together. The first relates to the CRU. It has a public consultation starting shortly on the amount to be charged for this new excessive-use charge, which my party believes is a Trojan horse for water charges. We take a keen interest in what is happening here. When precisely will the public consultation start? If a date cannot be given perhaps we can be told the number of months or weeks after which it will take place.

My next question is on preparations for the single water utility. The WRC is playing a role in bringing together the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, management in the local authorities, ICTU and the unions for engagement on this issue. We are told this engagement will commence in the coming weeks. Can we be more precise than that? If we cannot have a date are we looking at the month of February, March or April? When is it due to commence?

The need for a constitutional referendum on keeping water in public ownership is very important. Reference has been made to it this morning. It has been delayed by the Minister but I welcome the fact the committee has a hearing on progressing this coming up very soon. It is an important meeting on which we will focus. My questions relate to engagement with the unions and the question of public consultation.