Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)

I have extreme reservations about this legislation. While I accept that a consolidation of the various legislative measures relating to water services dating back to the 19th century is long overdue, I question whether it was necessary to produce a legislative tome of this nature. I refer to its content rather than its size. I wish to focus on a particular concern relating to the introduction of legislation that is designed to pave the way for water charges and the privatisation of water services. The former Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Cullen, stated in the Seanad that it was not the Government's intention to bring in water charges.

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