Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I thank the Minister. I appreciate the fact that he has made such a commitment on the record. I listened to Senator Kitt's point about agreements to give free water to the owners of lands where water is found. I am sure Senators are aware of the hassle caused by such agreements in certain places, such as the Silent Valley in County Down. It had been agreed since 1920 or earlier that the authority would supply the inhabitants of the area with water free of charge. Since the process of privatisation of water services in the area started in recent times, however, those involved have found themselves in a total mess of court cases on the issue.

It is important that this consolidated legislation is passed. I am glad it has been brought to the Seanad to give us a chance to examine it in some detail. The Bill was badly needed and everyone should welcome the idea that underpins it. I compliment the Minister's officials for trawling through the legislation and trying to bring it together, whatever difficulties we may have with individual parts.

The issue of water quality and waste management is very important. It may sound a contradiction in terms, but I worry about the pollution of waste water. Those of us who live in the countryside and must get out the rods to clean our own pipes when they become blocked will always say that sewage is a far easier commodity to deal with than sink water waste, which can be horrific. I ask the Minister to give serious consideration to introducing a regulation requiring eco-friendly washing powders although I know they are marginally more expensive. When the tax on plastic bags was introduced people asked whether it would ever work, but it did. This would be an important development. The amount of pollution going into the ground from horrible washing powders is causing difficulties. I ask the Minister to give this some consideration. It would ease the work of the various authorities envisaged in this legislation. The easy way to do this would be through the supply end. More and more people are using eco-friendly washing powders.

I have decided not to raise the question of the River Shannon today as I do not hold the Minister personally responsible for that, although there are other people I do hold responsible.