Derek Nolan (Galway West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The former Minister left an awful legacy for the post-reshuffle Government. When one introduces a new utility company which will charge people money, the first thing necessary is trust in the organisation. Instead of establishing a new ESB we have established a new HSE and the level of confidence does not exist. We have much work to do in the coming months to put in place something in which people can have confidence. One does not need to go much further than Galway to see what happens when water systems are not up to scratch. We had a cryptosporidium outbreak during which the city could not drink its water. People in Mervue and Shantalla could not be confident about the water because of lead pipes.

Water matters and people know this. They know there must be investment in it. We started off with miscommunication and bad communication, which left a vacuum for those who would never support any type of infrastructure or investment to fill with scaremongering and propaganda which has left people confused, worried and angry, and I cannot blame them. We have a very short amount of time in the coming weeks to address people's real concerns. There are genuine concerns about affordability, which I cannot tell people are unfounded. Two adults and two adult children attending university or not working will mean a very high bill for a house. It will be more than €500, which is a lot of money.

See this speech in context