Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

The purpose of this amendment is to enable regulations under section 32(2) and (3), in regard to the provision of water services, to provide additionally for measures necessary to protect public health and the environment. It is possible that existing provisions for regulations at section 32(3)(b), on duties of persons providing water services, and section 32(3)(e), on performance standards for the provision of water services, could include measures to protect public health and the environment. However, the additional provision in paragraph (w) will put this beyond doubt. Such regulations might, for example, be necessary to provide for measures to prevent the spread of water borne diseases through the drinking water supply.