Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. We have already heard much today about water but I will recap. There is a great concern in the local authority sector about the establishment of this new company, Irish Water, because thousands of people are already employed in the provision of water services across the local authority sector. These people have real jobs contributing significantly to Irish society through dedicated work.

Will the Minister of State give a guarantee that everybody engaged in the provision of water services across the local authority sector will not lose employment when Irish Water is established? With regard to billing and collection, will the Minister of State give the Irish people any degree of information on a waiver that may be obtainable for people who are unemployed, on low incomes, sick, or people with disabilities or who have children? There is much concern about the advent of water charges coming down the tracks and people want to know if any light can be thrown on the issue at this point.

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