Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It set out clearly that the assets and liabilities would be transferred to Irish Water. Members still do not know what the assets are or how much they amount to. They have now been told - at this late hour as usual - that there is €460 million owed to the Housing Finance Agency which will be financed by the taxpayer. As for the outstanding €150 million pertaining to commercial loans, it is not known when or how it will be paid because there is no provision in the amendment before Members. I simply must ask the Minister what authority the Government had to make that decision in the absence of proper legislation being put before the House?

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