Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

In his initial reply, the Minister stated it is illegal for the European Commission to take a position on this matter but it has done so. In addition, it has put pressure on both the Italians and the Portuguese to do this. While the Minister has stated it would be illegal to privatise Irish Water at present, he is aware that the rules introduced under the Lisbon and Nice treaties dictate that no state in Europe can stop privatisation if it chooses to get involved in it.

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