Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We cannot continue with 500 of the treatment works that supply water to businesses and people all over the country in an inferior condition. Out of general taxation, the division of them for schools, hospitals, roads and other services has never been sufficient other than to catch up with an inadequate infrastructure and an intolerable situation. Every new business and industry set up or job created adds to the requirement for more water and clean water.

I accept mistakes were made but people have said they want clarity, confidence and to understand about affordability. We cannot say what will be the cost of electricity, gas or bus fares for the next three years. However, when the Minister speaks in the House he will outline with certainty for people the affordability of the contributions they make for domestic water use, accountability in relation to the contributions they make and the changed responsibility and engagement of the people in a people's forum with Irish Water.

This is to ensure there is a direct connection and an understanding between ordinary people and the entity that is Irish Water. Those involved in Irish Water say they have a lot of work to do in trying to build the confidence of the people in them, but we cannot continue in a position where raw sewage is a problem, there are inferior treatment works and 40% of treated water leaks into the ground.

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