Denis Landy (Labour) | Oireachtas source

This legislation establishes Water Ireland-Uisce Éireann and also sets up a funding model that will drive future investment into the upgrading of water services and systems throughout the country. It will also establish an independent economic regulator. In addition, 2,000 jobs will be created, albeit in the short term. Today the Minister of State confirmed to us the retention of staff within the local authority system up to 2017. I will ask for their retention beyond that date.

I commend Senator Wilson's party for its past ability to put EU Structural Funds to good use in upgrading water treatment plants throughout the country over many years. In my town raw sewage used to flow into the river at five different points but in recent years we have had a full new water system that sends back crystal clear water to the River Suir. This is a perfect example of what the country has achieved and strives to continue to achieve. The availability of good quality water is a driver of job creation. We saw that only yesterday with the agreement of an extension on the part of Intel. We have seen it in the food and drinks sector and in the biopharmacy area.

Why are we where we are today? We are there because under the EU-IMF financial support package this country was required to charge for water and a charging system had to be introduced. Again, I must remind my learned colleague of this because he seems to have an amnesiac tendency in this area. It is like saying that although one has signed up to buy a car when it is delivered, one will not pay for it because one does not like the smell of the air freshener inside. The Opposition is trying to wipe away all that it signed up to and did, blaming it on others.

The use of water metering and pay per usage is the fairest system, provided there is a built-in system of waivers, in some shape or form, for people who are on low incomes and cannot afford to pay. It is good from the point of view of conservation and best use of water. It will create a different mindset in this country towards the valuable asset of water. For too long water has been wasted and there has been no regard for the cost of providing water. In my town alone, which has an annual budget of ¤5 million, the cost per annum of water provision is ¤900,000, or 18% of the annual budget. That cost must be realised and the money must be found. We signed up to the troika and agreed to charge for water and must proceed with that.

I welcome the comments of the Minister of State. I have had previous interaction with him and discussions at committee level on the staff in local authorities which is a matter of great concern to me. I welcome that he has set up a consultative group, which is a very good approach to the issue. I welcome that staff have job security until 2017. What will happen after that date?

The Bill to transfer assets is separate and will follow this legislation. Does this mean that all services, land rights access, use of bore holes, etc., for which local authorities have signed agreements in order that the new legislation can be implemented, will have to be negotiated with individual landowners? That is a very important issue throughout rural Ireland because there are many kinds of individual arrangements, agreements and legal contracts in place. That must be clarified.

Will the new water company, Uisce Éireann or Water Ireland, be accountable to the elected members of local authorities? Will the company report annually to the local authorities and provide direct responses to representations made by local elected members? Will company representatives be available to discuss the infrastructural needs of individual local authorities and their districts? This is paramount in regard to rural development across many spheres, including jobs.

I have a number of specific questions on different sections although this is not a full opportunity to ask them and there will be another.

Will the Minister explain the purpose of the provision in section 5 in regard to the voting share for Bord Gáis Éireann? Under the provisions of section 7, how many directors will be appointed to the new water company and how will they be appointed?

I welcome the reference by Senator Wilson to the fact that national elected political representatives will not be on the board. I ask the Minister to clarify the position of people elected to local bodies?

In section 13, there is a reference to "make grants out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas to ? (b) the Board, or". I would like to have the meaning of subsection (b) clarified? It seems as a stand alone organisation, Bord Gáis will have financial autonomy and my reading of this subsection suggests the Government will make available grants to Bord Gáis.