Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. First, to address the transfer of staff from within our local government system who are working in the area of water services to Irish Water, I am aware that very significant progress has been made. The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage has met directly with the representatives of the workers on a number of occasions. As the Deputy said, the offices of the WRC have been used to try to reach an agreement. My understanding is that there are up to 3,000 working across the local authority system in respect of water services. We want to have a system of provision of water and wastewater services that is seamless and integrated and where there is a very clear delineation in terms of the responsibilities of Irish Water relative to local authorities. As the Deputy is aware, as part of the framework and the progression of this issue, commitments have been given to workers, including that they will be transferred to Irish Water on terms that are no worse than their existing terms as employees of the local government sector. They are employed by specific local authorities and there is an SLA in place at the moment. Clearly, there are details that have to be ironed out. For example, the workers will be transferring into an Irish Water pension scheme and will be leaving a local authority pension scheme. The Irish Water pension scheme is Exchequer-funded, as such. The commitment that they are going to be looked after and are not going to be any worse off in terms of their pension entitlements and so on must be stood over and vindicated. My understanding is that very good progress has been made. The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage is working collaboratively with all of the stakeholders involved, including the WRC, Irish Water, the local government sector and, of course, the representatives of the workers to ensure that transfer goes through.

It is in everyone's interest that it does. Many staff will choose not to leave the local government sector and will be redeployed away from water services in many instances. That is a choice they will have. They are not being forced to leave the local government sector.

The Deputy asked about a referendum on Irish Water and public ownership. The most important reassurance I can give is that there is no threat whatsoever to the public ownership of Irish Water or our water network. We have a system whereby domestic users do not pay a separate charge for water whereas commercial users do. There is no suggestion from anyone in government, or any proposal I am aware of, that would put Irish Water at any threat whatsoever. We will respond to the proposal for a referendum to copper-fasten its status as a public utility.

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