Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am answering the Deputy's question. There were 34 local authorities doing this during the Celtic tiger era when the Deputy was in office as Minister for Health when he often spoke extremely convincingly about public health issues, for which I recognised him, and defended the adequacy of public health services. The stuff that went on in local authorities, even during the richest period in the recent history of the country, did not result in the provision of drinkable water. The Deputy may remember what happened in Galway. When one almost went to the borders of Galway, people involved in every kind of business were handing out bottles of water because the water was undrinkable. These failures which the Deputy may remember happened during his time as Minister for Health and about which I recall him speaking stemmed from a lack of investment in proper water treatment facilities.

One of the most difficult aspects of this issue for people is the fact that we know that we have so much rain. How is it that we have the chaos that happened in Galway, with almost the total destruction of tourism and commerce at the time? The Deputy must remember it because his party came into the House and answered very concerned and worried Members with questions at the time. If he wants to take a responsible view of politics, further investment to ensure the health of citizens and the adequacy of water supplies are essential. I am telling him that the best way to do this is not through 34 local authorities which failed but through a single, modern, consumer-focused utility which will not be gold-plated but which will actually deliver a proper service at a cheap and efficient price to consumers. It is going to take time to establish it, but it will be established.

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