Denis Landy (Labour) | Oireachtas source

There are a couple of issues. This amendment was thrown up when we examined how the transfer would come about from what was a traditional local authority function to Irish Water. I raised the issue on Committee Stage as there will be a difficulty in a number of areas where local long-standing agreements have given local authorities access to private land so that they could check lake, borehole and river intake sources. This was done on an agreed basis with landowners. The Minister of State's response the last time was that way leave does not apply to water, as water pipes are laid on public roads. If a service is required to go across private land, the way leave legislation only applies to the ESB and will not allow local authorities or Irish Water to cross such lands without due permission or cost. Have those issues been dealt with through this amendment?

Some reference has been made to the staff. Much good work has been done on this issue and I know from speaking to a former colleague in South Tipperary County Council that a unit has been set up there this week that will pull together all the information required. I welcome the fact that this has been done through proper industrial relations mechanisms, with staff volunteering for the work. The individual to whom I was speaking was very happy and excited about the opportunity to get into a new challenge in his life and career as a public servant. He is my age.

I welcome all this work but I am concerned about outstanding issues which I flagged on Committee Stage. The Minister of State gave some comfort in his words at that stage but it was not really the answer I wanted to hear. I am still asking for an answer rather than comfort.