Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Darragh O'Brien requested that additional time be allocated in respect of the Pyrite Resolution Bill. I will amend the Order of Business to allow a further 20 minutes of debate on the legislation. We will also have a further two and a half to three hours of debate on the Water Services (No. 2) Bill this evening. I note the points the Senator made on pensions. The Minister of State, Deputy O'Dowd, explained in detail that local authorities will be responsible for covering the years of service for which staff were in their employ and that Irish Water will pick up the tab for their period of employment with it. That was the explanation given at the time. I am sure the Minister of State will comment further on the matter during today's debate. The Government has given a commitment that Irish Water will not be privatised. In its negotiations with the troika, the Administration led by the Senator's party signed off on the sale of many State assets.