Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That is correct. I might disagree with Deputy Broughan on many things but I respect him immensely.

As a Government, we have listened and realised that we made a mistake. The essence of a parliamentary democracy is to listen to the people. Deputy Mathews spoke about imagination. The imagination of the Government has been used in coming up with a utility company that ticks the boxes for affordability, certainty, quality of supply and conservation.

I live in the city of Cork, which was flooded in 2009. Irish Water's capital investment programme will spend €185 million on water infrastructure for the people of Cork. I welcome the fact that the Cork City water supply scheme, the Wilton-Lee Road trunk main scheme, the Lee Road water treatment plant upgrade, the Cork lower harbour main drainage scheme, the Crosshaven sewerage scheme storm outfall network and the Shannonvale sewerage scheme network upgrade will all take place. These are tangible benefits for the people of Cork.

People have criticised change for coming too slowly or not happening. When the Government tries to do things differently, the reaction from the Opposition remains the same - resist change and put forward no credible proposals. What does Sinn Féin want? No one quite knows.

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