Michael McCarthy (Labour)

I move amendment No. 7:

In page 28, line 34, after "(2)" to insert "and provided that the Minister is satisfied that democratic accountability for the function concerned will be ensured".

We debated this in some detail on a previous occasion. There is a real issue of accountability and transparency. It is important that this amendment be inserted. The section could result in the privatisation of all water services by their transfer from authorities to another prescribed person, which could be a private company, allowing for no element of accountability. There would not be any democratic controls over the process to ensure such accountability. In the era in which we live, with its very strong emphasis on accountability and transparency in the public sector, for example, in the Freedom of Information Act 1997 and the various methods used in the pursuit of transparency and accountability, it is important that we lead by example in legislative terms. I appeal to the Minister to accept this amendment.