Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am not canvassing. The ding dong contributions did not deter her because I am sure she would love to come back to the House and take part in a fruitful debate. Anybody who would like to vote for her can still consider that.

Senator Norris raised a serious issue relating to the potential visit of the President to a direct provision centre. Will the Leader seek clarification from the Minister for Justice and Equality as to why the President was not allowed to visit the Athlone centre and whether that issue can be overcome in the future? It is ironic given that last Friday he opened the new offices of the Irish Refugee Council. He has a serious interest in these areas.

It is frustrating to hear the former Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy O'Dowd, in radio interviews and to read what he has said in newspaper articles when, as Senator Barrett said, we had long, heated and detailed debates in the House about the setting up of Irish Water during which we in the Opposition pointed out the unmitigated disaster it would be. It is unfortunate that, belatedly, he is admitting it is an unmitigated disaster.

The bonus culture in the company is galling to the people who are being asked to sign up for water charges, water meters, etc. We need another debate about what is going on in Irish Water. County councils and local people have no idea where water and sewerage schemes that were to be done by the councils now stand. The Costello regional water scheme in Connemara was to proceed before Christmas but we have been told that the second part of it is under review. All this was instigated by our incoming EU Commissioner, Deputy Phil Hogan.