Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Senator MacSharry. I called yesterday for a debate on Uisce Éireann. My major concern is for the consumers to get the best deal possible and they will not get that from a public service monopoly which has already started in a way that certainly does not apply cost-effectiveness across the board and which is merely another quango. This has been exposed in this House by the Minister who was involved in setting it up.

It also worries me that people who are campaigning against water charges and who know they are going to continue are now out of the other side of their mouths articulating and promoting a policy that it should be privatised or part privatised. This is the position of Sinn Féin. The double speak is absolutely alarming - that people would go forward and campaign on one basis and then look to have it privatised so they can distance themselves from the charges. If there is one thing-----