Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The referendum on the public ownership of water is not as urgent as was deemed previously in light of the changes that have happened to Irish Water. It is on the State's balance sheet and funding for it will come directly from the central Government Exchequer. There is a Bill going through the House at the moment. We have to ensure, in the wording of the Bill, that group water schemes will be protected. That is essential as we move forward with this. We are considering how to achieve that at the moment. My Department is in discussions with the Office of the Attorney General on what that wording might look like. The Bill is currently on Second Stage and awaiting Committee Stage. It is a Private Members' Bill.

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