Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that motion 11 be taken before No. 1. That motion states: "That Seanad Éireann requests the Government to initiate legislation to provide for a constitutional referendum to enshrine the ownership of Irish Water to the Irish people in perpetuity." One of the major issues with regard to the management of water charging has been the manner in which Irish Water is set up as a subsidiary of Bord Gáis Éireann. Effectively the sole shareholder in that is the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and the equivalent Minister in any future government. He or she will be that shareholder and there is nothing to prevent the Government or any future Government from-----