Dáil debates
Wednesday, 25 April 2007
Water Services Bill 2003 [Seanad]: Report Stage
6:00 pm
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
I wish to respond to the debate we had on this. The Minister mentioned practical difficulties prevent him from accepting three amendments which would give Irish people a legal right to water. Such a legal right is hardly an unreasonable request to make in the first decade of the 21st century. Water is essential for life. The practical difficulties referred to by the Minister relating to delivery of a water supply in cases where an exceptional physical difficulty exists or where a house was developed some time ago can be controlled through planning laws. If it is not possible to supply water to a new dwelling, it is grounds for refusing planning permission.
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