Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

I reflect some of the Senator's surprise in this regard. I had assumed there was a strong legislative base for controlling the abuse of water and I could not agree with him more. Water is not something that is free. It should be cherished and protected as a very important resource. The Senator's reference to Galway is apposite and I do not mind it because it illustrates the lacunae that existed. As Minister, I could not, for example, send water tankers into an estate in Galway, even though I believed it was the right thing to do. I have offered three times. The Senator is quite right. Some surprising omissions have existed in the law over many years. This is a very important Bill because it deals with a number of lacunae that exist and provides an appropriate legislative basis for the future. I was certainly of the view that hosepipe bans and drought orders could be enforced. They cannot and it is only until this Bill is passed that they can be introduced. It is appropriate that the Bill is passed for this purpose alone. I thank both Senators for their support.