John Whelan (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I take the opportunity to welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Fergus O'Dowd, back to the House. As I have said for some time, the Water Services Bill 2013 is one of the most significant, strategic and substantial Bills that will be dealt with by this House and the Dáil in the current term. It is just as important as the financial legislation with which we will have to deal.

An Bord Pleanála saw fit yesterday to grant planning permission for the next phase of the expansion and development of Intel. The safety, security and sustainability of a reliable water supply was one of the key factors the board considered in granting planning permission. Intel and other similar institutions use thousands of litres of water in their factories and plants on a daily and weekly basis. This is part of the strategic planning of international companies. We are competing with countries such as Scotland and Israel for investment and job creation of this nature. As part of the planning conditions, Intel has agreed to pay ¤21 million, a significant sum, to Kildare County Council for the supply of water. To date, Intel has invested at least ¤7.5 billion in its Leixlip installation which currently employs 4,500 people. That is what we are talking about when we have a debate on water supply.

Over 30 years ago everyone thought the idea proposed by a young man who appeared on "The Late Late Show" was crazy. I refer to the proposal made by Mr. Geoff Read to sell water to people in bottles.

At the time they thought it was a laughing matter, but, of course, we are talking about the founder of Ballygowan who was before his time and, as they say, the rest is history. Who would have thought that was possible in this country where it never seems to stop raining? We are fortunate to have a supply of largely clean and reliable fresh water in our taps, of which we think nothing and which, in fact, we take for granted.

I am not sure what the charge will be for water when meters are installed. I accept, however, that any new bill coming through the door of any household will be an additional burden and that no one wants to see extra charges and bills because, ultimately, people see the charge as a tax. Whether it is, it will certainly be a burden on families and households. However, as other speakers said, most reasonable people say it is not unfair or inequitable to pay, let me suggest, ¤1 a day to be sure of a supply of clean fresh water to meet all household needs. This goes way beyond that, however, as the Minister of State knows, because we are also looking at the commercial, industrial and agricultural implications, as mentioned by other colleagues. Even though there is an abundance of rain, this does not equate with having an abundance of useable drinking water and water suitable for use by pharmaceutical companies, restaurants and other businesses such as agricultural processing and so on.

I take the opportunity to remind the Minister of State, as I have in the past, that it was in 1940 the Poulaphouca reservoir was built to supply water to the city of Dublin. However, although construction started in 1940, it was 1947 before a single drop of water became available to the city. That is the lead-in time at which we are looking. With no disrespect to anyone, we are putting the cart before the horse in talking about charging for water, installing meters and developing the water infrastructure when we have not built the necessary reservoirs and infrastructure to make sure we will have the water to supply.

I highlight for the Minister of State the need to expedite and for him to intervene in this issue personally, as I know he is committed to the project of building the Bord na Móna reservoir at Garryhinch in the midlands to supply water to Dublin and the greater Leinster region. I would not countenance for one second supporting a proposal that would be ecologically or environmentally unsound or unsafe; in fact, I would vehemently oppose such a suggestion. I am certain, however, given the available data and evidence to date, that it is possible, safe, secure and sustainable - economically, ecologically and environmentally - to abstract water from the Shannon basin at a rate of between 2% and 4% and supply it to the greater Leinster region. I remind the House that the River Shannon is in flood for 80% of the year.

How much time do I have left?