Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

We probably need to raise the issue I mentioned about car parking and out-of-town venues separately. It could be at odds with and could undermine other policies on the viability of town centres, which are the heart of any location.

There was a transfer of assets worth in excess of €11 billion from local authorities to Irish Water. A large water treatment plant like the one in Leixlip, which is in the news at the moment, was owned by Fingal County Council before being transferred. It will now be subject to rates. We are still questioning whether Irish Water will come under the remit of the Comptroller and Auditor General. It is difficult to figure out whether it is a public, private or semi-State entity, which is causing confusion about how what are publicly built treatment plants are now being subject to commercial rates.