David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I seek clarification on these amendments and I am not sure whether I support them. Obviously, there is a concern if one looks at what is happening in other sectors, including in the public sector and even in the voluntary hospital sector where there are top-up payments on salaries and so on. There should be proper salary caps in place for senior staff in any new organisation set up which is funded by the State. The section states: "have regard to Government or national policy." Are the words "have regard to" strong enough? It also states: "Irish Water shall comply with any directives with regard to such remuneration, allowances, terms or conditions which the Minister may give to Irish Water". I seek clarification that it is watertight and that we do not have a situation where there are breaches in salary caps in a new body set up , that we have to deal with them afterwards and we are told there are now contractual arrangements in place. Let us make sure we do it right now. I look forward to the Minister of State's response.