Caít Keane (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Certain functions are best administered centrally but central Government is not best equipped to grasp the conditions in each locality. It is preferable for local government to carry out that job because locally elected institutions employing their own specialist staff are better placed to understand and interpret the conditions and needs of the municipality and the district. This will happen with the water issue. Does Senator Ó Domhnaill want 39 different water authorities? Do we need 39 offices throughout the country dealing with water services? What we need are the local council people who have the expertise in water services, and that will not be changed.