Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)

In the last bad winter we had, local authorities responded magnificently to problems with water supplies because they had the expertise and back-up which will be lost when it is shifted over to this new semi-State company. It will be a retrograde step and people will resist it.

Larger families will pay a heavier price in water allocations. Will there be a standard charge? Will there be a charge which will eventually begin to rise? There probably will be. Many of the contracts will be outsourced. We need to examine the whole issue of the recycling of water and enhance our approaches towards it. The Minister referred to water services in the south of England. He should remember services there were privatised and the area is now suffering a drought.

Dublin city will face problems with water supply. From what everyone is saying, it will have to be sourced from the Shannon. This will involve significant costs and the expertise with the local authorities.

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