Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I seek clarification from the Taoiseach on the situation pertaining to Irish Water and ask him to give Government time for a debate on it, particularly given his remarks to me last week on Leaders' Questions, when he stated:

Second, in the matter, as I understand it, of a parliamentary question which was to have been sent to Irish Water, it did not go, and the Department has apparently apologised for that. In any event Irish Water will be the subject of proper responses to parliamentary questions in this House by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. Deputies can be clear on that.

That evening the Minister of State, Deputy Fergus O'Dowd, came to the House and stated the complete opposite. He stated Irish Water would not be subject to questions on the costs of establishment or on its activities at all. Yesterday evening the Secretary General of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government apologised to Deputy Barry Cowen because a response had not been given to his parliamentary questions, and she confirmed what the Minister of State had stated - that Irish Water would not be subject to parliamentary questions. The Taoiseach stated that Irish Water would be the subject of proper responses to parliamentary questions in the House and that Deputies could be clear on this. I would appreciate if the Taoiseach would correct the record of the House if he misled the House last week when he told me Irish Water would be subject to proper responses. The Minister of State at the Department said the complete opposite, as did the Secretary General of the Department. I would appreciate it if the Taoiseach put straight the record of the House.

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