Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The only way I will be assured on this matter is if the Minister answers the following three simple questions. Is he going to provide a legal exemption from charges for people who cannot drink their water supply - yes or no? Is he going to legally provide for an allowance for every person in order he or she can meet his or her basic daily water needs - yes or no? Is he going to legally ensure Irish Water will be accountable to public representatives in local authorities and Oireachtas Members - yes or no?

There are many other issues relating to pensions, rights and the transfer of responsibilities which, by right, we should be debating, but we cannot do so because of the way the Bill is being rammed through today. I know this is against the Minister of State’s own principles as a public representative and that if he were on this side of the House, he would be equally animated about this issue. As the Bill has been drafted, people who cannot drink their water supply will still be charged for it. There is no guarantee that the allowance will be enough to meet their basic needs. There is no guarantee that people will not be charged for flushing their toilets. Neither is there a guarantee that Irish Water will answer legitimate questions from public representatives, be they county councillors or Deputies. There are also issues relating to pensions, rights and the transfer of responsibilities, significant issues which have been raised by staff and the local authorities.

The difficulty is that local authorities are asking Irish Water and the Department legitimate questions, but the Minister and the Minister of State cannot answer them. This Bill is being dealt with today because, according to the Minister of State's own officials, it has been an extremely complex piece of legislation, yet it can be rammed through here in a couple of hours without being properly debated.

I have given four legitimate reasons for not putting this Bill through today. I urge the Minister of State, even at the 11th hour, to bring forward a single amendment to change the date from 1 January to 1 July and let us have a proper debate here. Let us deal with these issues and let us ensure that the Bill that is brought before the House is something over which we can all stand.

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