Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Socialist Party) | Oireachtas source

The Minister often feigns shock at the idea that anyone could suggest privatisation is a possibility. The Government repeatedly states that nobody in the Dáil could possibly want Irish Water to be privatised. I would hazard a guess that he is incorrect although they may not feel able to put forward the idea now. The same Government wanted to privatise our forests and, if it felt it could get away with it, would like to privatise our water services sooner rather than later. Is it any wonder people have concerns when there is a section devoted to transferring assets but not liabilities? It is gift wrapping the valuable assets held by local authorities, handing them over to a semi-State body, Irish Water, without the associated liabilities and debts.

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