Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

One of the big issues we need to deal with as a people is to create proper infrastructure. Nothing is more important for our people's health and well-being, and for those who might invest in our State, than to have a decent water system. I do not for a second believe the Opposition Members believe the current system provided by 34 local authorities, in which one third of the wastewater plants are suspect and where 18,000 people are subject to boil water notices is adequate. Is that their position? After the boom times when, apparently, we were awash with money, as one member of the former Cabinet said, we still have that dreadful infrastructural deficit. We will deal with that. We have said we would.

To deal with the specific point the Deputy raised, my understanding is that the regulator began the process in April. It is a two-phase process. There will be inputs from Government but we have to await a determination from our soundings with EUROSTAT of how much money will ensure this State company remains off balance sheet. The Deputy knows that full well.

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