Barry Cowen (Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Amendment No. 34, in the name of Deputy Catherine Murphy, was one of the better and more obvious amendments. I supported it on Committee Stage, but withheld my support on foot of the commitment of the Minister to refer to Government with a view to elaborating on the contention that, for this to be the case, it would require an amendment to the Comptroller and Auditor General Act rather than what was contained within the Water Services Bill.

At that time, he committed to referring back to the committee and its Chair, having, as I said, consulted with the Government and legal advisers. He gave a commitment on their part to ensure that Irish Water would be held accountable under the remit of the Comptroller and Auditor General in respect of how it disburses public funds, notwithstanding that its Vote would be part of the Department Vote, into which the committee would have an input as is normal. I ask that the Minister respond to this forum, as he intends to respond to the committee Chair.

I beg the indulgence of the Acting Chairman in respect of some comments made by Deputy Ó Broin. I had difficulties with many of the amendments he and his party tabled. That was personified by the first one, which stated, "In page 5, line 22, after “Services” to insert “(Water Charges by the Back Door)”." This demonstrates the type of rubbish the Deputy was bringing forward and the games he was playing in an effort to appease his supporters.

This was despite the fact that he could not comprehend that when his party took a ten-week holiday after the last election, other parties took it upon themselves to ensure the country and electorate got a Government which might be able to bring some stability to the economy and country. In order for that to have any chance of success, it was obvious this issue had to be dealt with. If the Deputy's party had its way, it would not have allowed the Government to proceed for another month because it would have played on people's fears in respect of this issue. It would not be the first time the Deputy or anybody belonging to his party compromised the stability of the country or the economy.

On matters of a personal nature, the Deputy referred to my attendance at committee meetings. Fianna Fáil has been represented at every committee meeting to which the Deputy referred, as was the case with Sinn Féin. Any time the Deputy was not present, I am sure somebody deputised on his behalf. I will not have him lecturing me about my attendance, irrespective of the fact that my party was well represented at all times and reflected the opinions and policy of my party, as it was elected and given the right to do.

On who pays me, how they pay me and what they pay me for, the electorate of Laois-Offaly will decide that, as is their right and will, and I will accept that, as I always have done. I accept the democratic will of the majority, something the Deputy cannot stand over in terms of his party's history.

I never sought to personalise this issue in the manner in which the Deputy has done. I take great offence to it, and it will not be forgotten. He played his game and raised the bait, as he wished to do in order to generate a response such is this. He has succeeded. For what it is worth, I do not know. I and my party committed to resolve this issue and to put a process in place which will allow the Dáil to be in a much more informed position to be able to make a decision than it was previously.

Democracy and the rules and processes associated with it have been upheld at all times. I will not stand in the way of the Deputy's silly amendments. It is not my right, and I cannot nor should I be able to so do. I will recognise them for what they are. All he is doing is playing silly games. It appears he wants to make sure that people do not get their refunds before Christmas, as is committed to in the Bill because, for some reason or other, he feels that will create a feel-good factor for those who will receive them. That is far from the case. We are reflecting the will of those who supported us and gave us a vote. We gave some value to that vote by putting in place this process to ensure it was taken off the table so that we can deal with much more pressing items, as he knows but will not admit.

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