Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I appreciate the point the Senator made about waste management. The powers were transferred as a result of legislation enacted by the Oireachtas. If this or a future Government were to contemplate privatisation of water schemes, it would not rely on this Bill which features nothing to give power to a Minister in this regard. The enactment of further legislation would be absolutely necessary. I wish to allay fears by pointing out that there is no question of considering privatisation. The situation is the same as it was in terms of domestic water charges which we debated earlier in the day. We made it abundantly clear that the matter comes under financial provisions and there is nothing in this Bill of that nature.

Primary legislation would be required to introduce water charges but that is not on the agenda. Privatisation, which would also require primary legislation, is not on the agenda either. I could fully appreciate the Senator's point if this legislation were providing the Minister with the power to privatise by way of regulation or secondary legislation.