Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

The Deputy is correct in that it is not the intention of the Government to privatise Irish water. I repeat that despite the Deputy saying I did not need to do so. It is a crystal clear policy, like the water we hope to have. The Deputy's party will not have to carry out that campaign.

The Deputy mentioned a second issue and we would be happy to get the figures from him regarding his county or electoral area; I will get figures nationwide of authorities which have not spent the capital funds which they should have, according to the Deputy. Some 45% of every drop of water in our system is lost currently. One of the major problems is that some local authorities are appalling in their rates of waste water, with some losing as much as 60% of every drop of water they start off with. That is the reason we need a national body to oversee the process.

I will not prejudge what will happen with such an authority. The National Roads Authority is responsible for national primary roads, with local authorities looking after the others. Instead of having a massive quango, it may be better to have a water authority to consider issues over a certain limit. If the infrastructure does not exist on the ground with local authorities, as occurred last Christmas, there will be no optimum result.

The debate will be very important when it arises. As soon as the publication is available we will ensure it will be widely circulated in order to facilitate debate in the House and committee system.

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