Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

No, it is not agreed. This involves the use of the guillotine on the Water Services (Amendment) Bill. We oppose this because there are a significant number of outstanding issues still to be resolved with regard to this Bill, the most fundamental of which concerns what standards will apply when the inspectors come out to the houses. We have suggested at the committee, in order to try and get more information on this, that we should invite in the EPA to address the committee and inform us of the standards. When we know the standards, we will then know the likely cost implications for householders and what assistance they will need to get for the costs associated with the required upgrades. There is significant debate to take place.

The Minister could expedite the Bill by dealing with the serious issue we have raised. We ask him to agree that the Environmental Protection Agency, which under the proposed Bill must advise the Minister on the standard, be asked to come before the committee as the next step to advise on what standards will apply. Then we can move forward with the Bill in a logical process.

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