Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this important debate. Irish Water has been the subject of debate across the country, in the kitchens and workplaces of towns and villages. Ordinary people have spoken about Irish Water for a number of months and I have engaged with many people in my constituency verbally and via letters and e-mail. In turn, I have spoken to the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly, the Government and the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party to air these concerns.

The changes announced yesterday by the Minister are clear, simple and comprehensible and I welcome the clarity that has been brought to the issue. People around the country have raised legitimate concerns about Irish Water and I acknowledge that mistakes have been made. One of the biggest was the overly ambitious timeframe for the establishment of Irish Water. International experience suggests such reform should have been introduced over a longer period.

I am conscious that new bills will be a burden on families who were hit hard during the recessionary years, but the package announced yesterday means that the net cost of water will be €160 for a household with more than one adult and €60 for a household with one adult.

The issue of water charges had been avoided by previous Governments, but we can no longer ignore the problems associated with decades of under-investment. Irish Water will enable us to deal with Ireland's crumbling water and wastewater infrastructure. It is clear that the old system no longer works as 20,000 people are on boil water notices and there are issues related to lead piping. There are huge issues related to leaks as between 40% and 50% of water leaks into the ground every day. Across the country there are problems with water capacity and quality and the wastewater network is also in serious need of an upgrade.

The Ennis-Clarecastle main drainage scheme has been costed at €190 million and discussed for 15 years, yet, to date, only small elements of the scheme have been delivered. I am confident that with the establishment of Irish Water the Ennis-Clarecastle main drainage scheme will finally be delivered. Other multi-million euro investments in wastewater treatment and vital infrastructure will be delivered by Irish Water in a timely manner as the body will be able to raise money on international markets. The discharge of raw sewage into the River Fergus in Clarecastle and areas such as Ballyvaughan, Kilkee, Kilrush and Liscannor will be avoided as a result. The current system allows such discharges to occur, which is shocking. The ESB has raised billions of euro on the international markets in the past ten years to upgrade its network and Irish Water will do so, too.

I respect people's right to protest as it is an important part of our democracy. However, it would be wrong of me not to mention the shocking actions of Deputy Paul Murphy and the Anti-Austerity Alliance last weekend. It was an absolute disgrace that an elected Deputy would incite a mob with a smile on his face and, in the process, imprison the Tánaiste in her car for over two hours. The actions of Deputy Paul Murphy and the Anti-Austerity Alliance have done a huge disservice to those who wish to protest legitimately and peacefully over water charges. Like Deputy Noel Coonan, I compliment the members of An Garda Síochána who risked their safety to defend the peace and the right to engage in peaceful protest.

I express my support for the motion and welcome the changes announced yesterday in the Chamber.

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