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

This again proves the point we have made from the outset, namely, this entire concept and its delivery was rushed, and needlessly rushed when one considers that no extra funding has been spent on the provision of water services during the four years of the lifetime of this Government. We were told that all assets and liabilities would be transferred. They have not been transferred because there was not adequate time or preparation put into that process. How many assets remain outstanding, and what value are those assets? What liabilities are associated with them? Are they specific assets that were constructed under public private partnerships? The Minister said that €47 million was provided last year to local authorities, and that is on top of the €500 million paid to the Housing Finance Agency. In what form was that €47 million provided? Was it part of the local government fund because local authorities were given to believe that they would have no liabilities or accruals in regard to their bills associated with Irish Water and with the assets? Is the Central Statistics Office aware of this? Our party spokesperson on public service, Deputy Fleming, has asked the CSO if it has been informed, for example, that all assets and liabilities have been transferred. Has it been informed or is it aware that outstanding liabilities remain which local authorities are being forced to pay?

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