Michael Kitt (Fianna Fail)

I welcome what the Minister of State has said. In my experience over the years, many disputes have arisen, particularly with small group water schemes, as regards the lack of rights of the owner of the land. There was a time when a land owner on whose field a spring or well was found, was entitled to free water. That was disputed and the cases would end up in the courts on some occasions. There were many such cases that John B. Keane could have written about as regards the ownership of lands or springs. They caused major problems for small schemes. I know of two water schemes where it was not possible to repair pipes that had broken down, as access was not forthcoming to the reservoir. I am glad the Minister of State has clarified that necessary repairs or renewal of a service connection will be dealt with on the lands in question. I hope we can agree to this section as it is important.