Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for their views, some of which were very contrasting. I value them greatly. The Bill is a response to an EU infringement case and is a key environmental management tool to which we are trying to respond.

This is focused on large-scale abstractions. The ESB and Irish Water would be required to register for all the major abstractions they carry out. Therefore, it is for really significant abstractions. Some 99% of water abstractions in the country are covered by these mechanisms which is a very significant point.

I shared with the Seanad a response to the charge that the pre-legislative scrutiny recommendations from the committee were not taken into account. The reality is that a number of the recommendations from the pre-legislative scrutiny formed part of the response in shaping the Bill. I would be happy to share that analysis with the Deputies and send it to them tomorrow.

Regarding the charge about farmers and ownership of Irish Water, I believe Deputy Fitzmaurice raised that. Obviously, it is not giving up ownership of water. The key thing is that this will now be under significant regulation. The Department also engaged with the National Federation of Group Water Schemes and the EPA. As Deputy Matthews knows, those were key considerations and the EPA decided on the level of the abstractions of 25 cu. m to be appropriate. He will also know that the Act gives it the power to reduce that more should the EPA make a recommendation in that regard.

The Bill went through Cabinet in the summer and has been on a journey. I absolutely hear the Deputies' comments. I was not deeply involved in the Bill's passage. I absolutely understand where Deputies are coming from. I hope some of those responses shed some light. I will also forward that report to show how we took into account the recommendations of the report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

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