Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

On 1 January, Irish Water will take over all the assets of local authorities in respect of water services, including all pipes and treatment plants. The water services Bill has not been brought before the Dáil yet, even though it was promised for this term. I told Ministers last year that the metering programme would not move at the projected pace. It is moving at a snail's pace and the Tánaiste can check the figures on that. When will we see that Bill? It is the biggest reform of water services since the foundation of the State but the legislation is not in place. Local authority officials are concerned. They certainly have raised it with me and I am sure the Tánaiste is hearing the same thing. Workers in the local authorities are concerned and local public representatives of all parties are also concerned about what is happening.

See this speech in context