Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)

I thank Deputy Troy for sharing time with me. It is obvious the Government is trying to hide behind Bord Gáis and the new water board. In the past, the HSE was established to allow the Government to hide behind that organisation. No member of the Government has referred to the excellent service that has been given by water men throughout this country over the years. I am not talking about the suit-wearing engineers inside in their offices when I talk about the tradition of excellent service. I am talking about the men who go out on Christmas Day or at Easter time to fix water leaks. These men go out during the holidays and on Sundays. They know exactly where every pipe is. They know the network inside out. Are we going to rob ourselves of that type of expertise?

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