Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yes, I will conclude shortly.

Did the House hear Opposition contributions welcoming Irish Water's work in ending long-term boil water notices for some 18,000 people last year? Did it hear praise for its improvements to water supplies which posed contamination risk for 220,000 people? Was there any mention of the 48.5 million litres of water, the equivalent to the daily water needs of 450,000 homes, saved through Irish Water's first-fix repair scheme by the end of the first quarter of this year? This is usually met by silence by those decrying the high level of leakage in the system. Neither do I recall much endorsement of Irish Water's work in trying to reduce exposure to lead in drinking water pipes, including its work on informing 34,000 households of likely lead piping in their homes.

After the commission publishes its report this month, it will go to committee. When it returns to the House in the spring, can we debate the facts? I have no problem with genuine opposition. However, facts are facts. Can we recognise where there have been some improvements? The full information must be entered into the debate, not just this aggro, total opposition and blindness to some of the good results achieved by Irish Water over the past several years. All I am asking for is a fair and logical debate over the months ahead.

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