Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Over the course of the past two or three days or even the past two or three two weeks since we have been discussing the funding of Irish Water it has become clear that Irish Water is similar in structure and governance to the way water companies throughout Europe are structured. It is becoming clear from this debate that we are not far off the structure of Northern Ireland Water. I am keen for the Minister to discuss this with me and give me a clear steer.

Let us consider the financial statements and financial memorandum between the Northern Ireland Department for Regional Development and Northern Ireland Water Limited. The structure we have been discussing, the nature of the shareholder, the governance structure, and the board of Northern Ireland Water are almost exactly similar to Irish Water and its functions. I have not had an opportunity to examine the articles of association of Irish Water but I cannot imagine they are too far away either. Northern Ireland Water even has a scheme of charges for domestic water. These charges are considerably higher than the charges we are putting into legislation. Anyway, that company has a structure comprised of non-domestic and domestic water charges for everyone.

I have only briefly examined the Commission for Energy Regulation report. I am keen to hear the views of the Minister on whether there has been a major dose of hypocrisy going on in the debate with regard to what the Minister as well as every spokesperson from the major political parties should know. Are we hearing that there is no great difference between what Irish Water will be like and the way Northern Ireland Water is already structured? That company has been in place for the past seven years. It has experienced all the issues that we have been discussing. There have been difficulties with loss of supply for large numbers of people. Bonuses have been paid by ministers to senior executives. This should be stated clearly by the Minister rather than flapping away from it. Basically, much of this debate has been a mockery of the people's feelings given the structure of other water companies.

See this speech in context