Ms Maria O'Dwyer:

We are just looking for the same appropriate powers as were necessary for the water services authorities. We are looking for powers similar to what local authorities had when they were responsible as the water services authorities. It has been accepted that it is just a small starting point for the new legislation and the starting point was from prior to Uisce Éireann's existence. We are just looking for the same powers the local authorities had and we want to get those same powers so we can fulfil our function as the national water services authority.