Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I welcome the Minister and congratulate him and his officials on this fine 100-page Bill, which I do not doubt was the cause of many sleepless nights and long weekends. There is a huge amount to discuss therein. I would like the Minister to reassure me about a basic question. When I studied the Bill, I noticed it provides for agreements to take over water works or waste water works, as well as for authorities to conduct licensing and metering. I immediately thought that the Bill might pave the way for privatisation, of which I am absolutely afraid. I do not approach this matter with an "-ism" on my shoulders, but I have examined what has happened in other countries. I feel, not on any kind of philosophical basis, that the privatisation of water services would be a major error in terms of the quality of life of the people of this country. There are many other reasons I am worried about such a privatisation. I ask the Minister to give an absolute, on the record, reassurance in that regard. I will accept an assurance from the Minister that it is not going in such a direction. I have deliberately taken such an interpretation from it because I want to raise this issue and seek the Minister's response.