Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

I thank Members of both Houses who engaged in a long and constructive debate on the legislation. This very important legislation deals with some of the significant issues which have been raised. For example, it puts privatisation beyond the law. It deals with strategic planning for and conservation of water and places responsibility on all players in the water sector to ensure recent events are not repeated. It is a timely Bill which will produce a modern body of law by consolidating a considerable volume of legislation originating in the 19th century. I am grateful to both Houses and the joint committee for the extraordinarily constructive work which was carried out on this radical legislation.