Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The people living in these areas will, no doubt, appreciate the improvement to their lives.

In addition, almost 21,500 people are using drinking water supplies that are no longer deemed to be at risk through the Environmental Protection Agency's remedial action list.

Irish Water has outlined a €1.8 billion capital investment programme to improve water services nationwide. In the interests of transparency and accountability, a new public forum, drawing from households and businesses, will be established to engage with Irish Water on matters such as priorities for investment and service standards. I believe the people liked the concept behind the Constitutional Convention and that they liked the method of selecting a gender balanced group from different categories and regions. Therefore, we intend to have a people's forum - 60 people - that will have responsibility and authority to engage with Irish Water on a regular basis on its investment programme in order that people will see that the contributions made for the domestic water supply go to where they were intended to go. I believe the people will respond to this initiative in the interests of Irish Water being seen to be responsible to the people for their supply.

In undertaking a reform of this scale and ambition, I recognise and acknowledge that the Government has made mistakes along the way and regret the unnecessary fear caused regarding the scale of charges because of the misinformation and confusion being bandied about. However, establishing Irish Water has not been a mistake. I recognise that, as a new utility in charge of a vital natural resource, it faces huge challenges to build public trust in its operations. It knows and accepts that challenge and I believe it is up to the challenge and will prove this in the period ahead. By the end of the first phase of its operations, by 2018, I want to see Irish Water accepted as the trusted guardian of our vital water supplies for the benefit for every citizen in the State. This can be achieved by delivering for the people, delivering better supplies into people's homes, not having raw sewage enter our precious rivers and lakes and providing a consistent and high quality service for industries reliant on water. These will be the criteria on which the success of Irish Water will be judged. The coming years will see the transformation of water services and, in time, Irish Water.

Today's announcement is a major milestone in delivering on our reform programme. After decades of inaction, the Government was elected on a strong platform of radically changing how we managed the economy, public institutions and our natural resources. This is what that reform looks like. From local government to welfare and work activation, the financial sector, the national finances, bankruptcy laws, supports for small business, further education, the junior certificate, health services, freedom of information, the Haddington Road agreement, the political system and child protection, the Government has introduced more radical reforms in a little over three years than the past three Governments. Change can be difficult for many, especially when faced with uncertainty. I hope the Government announcement today on the scale and scope of the water charges will address many of the fears and concerns people have had about these reforms. I know that the announcement will bring both relief and certainty to the majority of people who wish to contribute to the continued development of the country. We can now move on and continue the work to secure the nation's recovery and make Ireland a better place for families, children and our way of life. I commend the motion to the House

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