Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I disagree with the Minister's perspective on this issue. I accept it is not the Minister's intention to privatise Bord Gáis completely and that he proposes to give it a new business through a subsidiary which it will own and control. This subsidiary, Irish Water, will be responsible for the supply of water and sewerage services throughout the country. The people of Ireland will not be happy and difficulties with non-payment will ensue if they believe he is giving control of their water to a company which is being partially privatised. They will be afraid that he may plan to sell off Irish Water.

See this speech in context