Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

If Deputy Boyd Barrett played ball, we would get on. The issues with regard to group water schemes are very clear. There will be no change in the status of such schemes. They will continue to have the facilities and relationships they enjoy at present. One of the key things about group water schemes is that rural dwellers buy into them. One of the major developments in this area has been that group water schemes allow people to save and conserve a great deal of water. I know of a group water scheme in County Cavan or County Monaghan that saved almost 80% of the water it had been using before it installed meters. There are massive savings to be made in this respect.

Ultimately, this is about putting our country on the road to recovery and having an income that will meet our future water needs. Many people have mentioned that our water services cost €1.2 billion per annum. That is the sum of the operational costs and the amount of money set aside for capital investment. While we are participating in the troika programme, we have to look to the future and make sure money is available to improve our water infrastructure. Approximately 2,000 jobs will be created over the next three years as a result of the establishment of Irish Water. I hope many local people will be working as part of its operations. Between 300 and 400 of the jobs in questions will be based at a call centre.

This effort to improve our infrastructure, reduce the amount of water that is wasted nationally and save on capital infrastructure in the years to come will bring about an immediate bonus for local employment. It is unbelievable and unacceptable that over 40% of our treated water is wasted. When Irish Water changes that absolutely, it will make a significant difference to our future capital programme. We are intent on ensuring that happens. It is very important for the general public to understand and buy into what we are doing. I am conscious that Uisce Éireann will have a major communications programme. Now that the first leaflet has been sent to every house in the country, we must continue to communicate with people to ensure our message is sold soundly and well. Uisce Éireann is charged with that task, which is in hand, and I am confident that it will be accomplished.

One or two Deputies spoke about education. We all know that An Taisce runs fantastic environmental programmes. We have all been invited to primary schools to see the green flags that have been put up outside them. Children in local national schools have bought into these programmes. A module on treating and understanding water resources is at the heart of one of An Taisce's programmes. Practical examples of programmes relating to recycling can be seen in every school in the country. That is the way forward. It is important to introduce a new model of educating children about water into the school curriculum. It should deal with issues like water conservation and protection, health, animal life and plant life. That is the future. It is what we are buying into. This legislation will establish Uisce Éireann, which will not be privatised, as a semi-State company. It will be transparent, accountable and efficient. It will meet this country's future need for good and healthy water.

Many countries in Europe have a water shortage right now. When I was in the UK last September, I learned that there was a water shortage in the Anglian Water area. The UK is running short of water. We have an excess of water in this country. We are water-rich. We can attract jobs in industries like agriculture, pharmaceuticals and information and communications technology. Ireland is at the heart of this as the major European and one of the major international sources of water. Anyone who wants to invest in a water-rich industry should come to Ireland. Irish Water is about making sure the infrastructure is in place to meet such needs. I believe this will absolutely succeed. I thank everybody for their contributions. I repeat that I look forward to a Committee Stage debate that is as long as anyone in this House wants so that we get this legislation right.

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