Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

This important debate is only the commencement of our deliberations on water services. The legislation is not being rushed and the full details will probably not be finalised until next year. That is not to say, however, that Irish Water will not be established before the summer. We will need time to draw up legislation providing for its powers.

Senators have raised a variety of issues and if I fail to address any points they can raise them again. I would be happy to return to the Seanad whenever it is appropriate to give this issue as much time as it needs, to ensure the messages Senators send are heeded and to return with the answers.

I support those who believe we should have an ainm as Gaeilge. Uisce is fabulous. There was a company in Kerry called Fíoruisce Ciarraí - I knew the individual who ran it - but it has since gone out of business. We cannot call it "uisce beatha" even if whatever amount of uisce Senator Norris desires will be perfectly dilute.

One of the key issues that Senators raised pertained to staff. While it will ultimately be a matter for Irish Water to determine the staffing and skills required for the new organisation, it is likely that the numbers will be lower than those deployed today. These reductions will be achieved over the period to 2018 in a managed way by designing a fit-for-purpose model, eliminating existing duplication of activities, deriving synergies and efficiencies from the delivery of a national service and leveraging technology. These are key issues to address in developing the implementation plan, which will involve close co-operation with local authorities, staff and unions to ensure the change is well managed, taking into account the age profile of staff in the sector and wider local government staffing needs. In the initial phase, Irish Water will largely work through service level agreements with local authorities to ensure a smooth transition to the new model and guard against loss of local expertise.

We engaged with ICTU at the outset of the independent assessment and my Department has written to that organisation about further discussions as part of the consultation process which commenced on 16 January. From a staffing perspective, Irish Water will be able to offer opportunities not otherwise available to those who wish to pursue careers in water services. Increased specialisation will provide routes for career development. As Irish Water will be a public body, considerable protection will be provided by law to staff transferring to it from local authorities.