Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We as a Government are investing more in the infrastructure of our water than I think at any time in the history of the State. We take it exceptionally seriously. That is why the previous Government attempted, albeit unsuccessfully, to introduce a reliable and consistent funding stream to invest in something that is absolutely crucial for day-to-day living. I think we all recognise that. That boat has very much sailed. The mantra of many people in this House, however, that the idea behind that sustainable funding stream was that we could privatise the service, was an absolute myth and was never borne out by anything close to resembling reality.

When the Minister, Deputy Murphy, tells Deputy Collins he is working with the Attorney General to try to come up with responses to her Bill, I have absolutely no doubt that that is true. I do not agree with what she is trying to do, and there are probably other Members of the House who do not. At the end of the day, however, we are a minority Government. If there were consensus among everyone else in the House to do what Deputy Collins wants to do, we would not be having this conversation. Her Bill would probably have already passed. I know that the Minister has attempted to be as constructive as possible over recent years in respect of the Deputy's Bill and will continue to do so. I am not sure whether she has a date for the next step of the Bill. I will relate to the Minister her upset and disagreement with his response to her over recent months and come back to her with a response later.

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