Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I object in the strongest possible terms to the inadequate time allocated for this debate. If the Government really believes in the Bill, why does it not want to debate it? It does not want to have a debate because it wants to get this piece of bad news out of the way at a time when it will receive less attention, in exactly the same way as the property tax was introduced last year. We need to analyse what will happen to the relationship with Bord Gáis. The assets and liabilities to be transferred need to be scrutinised. Without an income, local authorities' liabilities, including pension liabilities, will have to be funded through commercial rates, property taxes and the local government fund. There will be unintended consequences from the fact that a first fix policy has not been implemented. People will end up with significant liabilities if such a policy is not put in place. We have heard nothing on that issue. We are not being given time to debate the potential difficulties that will arise from the taking in charge of estates with pumping stations or the possibility that the laying of pipes too close to the surface will result in inadequate water supplies.

ComReg is being given the power to decide on water charges. This is another example of the Teflon coating we saw with the HSE, whereby functions are one step removed from Dáil scrutiny. It is the wrong way to approach this matter. I have no problem charging for water, but an adequate free allowance is required. We are not debating that issue today. We have no control over prices or allowances. The power to make decisions on these matters is being given to ComReg.

If the Government is convinced about the utility of this legislation, why is it insisting on ramming it through with inadequate scrutiny? A number of issues could jump up and bite us in the future, but the Government is not even anticipating them.

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