Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This is really not about pointing fingers; it is about having this discussion, which is very welcome. I am very conscious the Mr. Coskeran is in the Gallery. We have to have these conversations, particularly because, as we have been discussing this matter, a picture has been painted.

There seem to be gaps in the legislation, quite possibly since Irish Water was set up. This restricts the county councils. I can hear that from the witnesses. We hear things in the Dáil, where we might be tabling motions. The witnesses put a proposal forward when concluding. It may be six years too late, but that is only my opinion. I do welcome the proposal.

The Acting Chair asked about timeframes, but, obviously, the witnesses cannot give us that information. As a Deputy, when I leave this meeting, what could I actually do? Could I approach the Minister with responsibility for this matter and tell him we have had this discussion with officials from Tipperary County Council? Let us be honest and state that this is going to be a massive problem. It is going to require a lot of money. There are people and families suffering. A huge cost has been incurred in this context over all these years. We are just trying to be fair to everybody.

As I said, I listened to the statements. I am getting the bigger picture that the county councils have been prevented from moving forward. The gap between local government and the Government in Dublin is being filled by Irish Water. The organisation will not go that way and it will not go this way. There seems to be a massive gap in what should be a joined-up approach. The commonsense approach is not there. Has the council got a commitment from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Irish Water to meet and discuss this issue? If so, has a date been set for such a meeting? I am just trying to get an idea of the timeframe, because I am conscious of all the families in these estates. We might be able to get an answer and then be able to tell these people, even though it might not be the answer they want, that there might be movement on this issue next March. As elected representatives, and this is a very open committee, politics is not really played because this is the "lastchance.com" forum for people outside Leinster House to voice their concerns. This is the way it should be. It is the citizens' assembly, as we would call it here, for whatever is coming in the door.

Has agreement been reached between Tipperary County Council, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Irish Water to meet?The issue might be addressed even in the witnesses' county. Tipperary might as well be the pilot project now. Tipperary leading this process will be a bonus to the county. What can we, as Deputies, do once we leave this meeting?