Seanad debates

Wednesday, 18 April 2012

3:00 am

Photo of Diarmuid WilsonDiarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)

I support Senator O'Donnell's call for a debate on proposed sale of the national lottery. I am calling for a full debate on the national lottery, which Senator Conway has also called for on a number of occasions. I would welcome such a debate.

I commend the Government on clarifying the water meter charges at yesterday's Cabinet meeting. Ministers have now said they will establish a quango called Irish Water. Together with the regulator, the new body will decide how much taxpayers will pay for this natural resource. The Government will therefore be able to hide behind the regulator and Irish Water, while saying "It has nothing to do with us".

I feel sorry for the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, who is an honourable and decent man, and is doing his best. This is his third nightmare in the Custom House. First, we had the septic tank debacle, which was followed by the household charge fiasco and we now have the water meter confusion. I do not blame him. He is the Minister responsible for the environment, community and local government portfolios, but he is only carrying out what the Cabinet decides. He does not decide these measures - the Cabinet gives him the go-ahead to implement these decisions. Time and time again, he has been wrong-footed and scapegoated by his Cabinet colleagues, so I feel sorry for him. I would welcome him to this House on any occasion if he wants to clarify the situation and agree with me.

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