James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am not overly enamoured of the fact that we have rushed through this important piece of legislation that affects every county, townland and householder in the country. It is in everybody's interest that we have a level of professionalism in the water services sector which would ensure we meet EU drinking water standards and quality. It is important that this be complied with at all times.

My concern on reading this Bill is that it is paving the way for the future privatisation of Ireland's water supply. We sell off assets from time to time and in recent times we have sold off a number of our assets. As a result of the sale of Eircom there are some rural areas the length and breadth of this country that have no broadband and will not see it in the foreseeable future because there is no interest and it is not profitable to those companies to deliver broadband to those rural areas. I have highlighted this issue. I am fearful that this could be the case with a company like Irish Water, which will be in it for big bucks at the end of the day.

The people who tramped the roads in the 1950s and 1960s and set up voluntary group water schemes played a very significant role in the development of Ireland. When they established a group water scheme they employed local people to administer and develop it and lay the water mains etc. They tied in with the committees and took great interest in the development of a particular area. In my county and the surrounding north Leinster counties we employ contractors from Northern Ireland and elsewhere to upgrade the water supply with no job opportunities for local people. I am fearful that this work can be tendered and somebody in France, Italy or elsewhere might get a contract for the improvement of the water supply, to the detriment of the local population and local employment opportunities.

All politics is local and I held the chair of four group water schemes in my county over the years. I set them up, walked the roads, filled in the GW41 and GW41A forms and submitted them to the Department, and drew down the grants etc. They were prudent operations. Some of the good people who were trustees at that time have passed on. It is important that we acknowledge their contribution to the water infrastructure in this country.

The importance of water conservation cannot be overstated, especially as it was recently estimated that up to 47% of all water is unaccounted for. We cannot stand idly by and neglect to deal with this problem. When water is produced, cleaned, etc. somebody must pay for it. I hope this problem will be tackled by Irish Water. This is important. A nationwide water conservation programme would be money very well spent. Could the Minister indicate if we have guaranteed this program will be expanded and how successful it will be under Irish Water? Areas of rural Ireland could be neglected and may not get the same attention as they get under the private group water schemes.

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