Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senators Mooney, Leyden, Coghlan, Bradford and others raised the important issue of the Jean-Claude Trichet letter which will certainly form part of the banking inquiry. In my view those letters should be investigated by the banking inquiry which I am sure will deal comprehensively with them.

In the House yesterday the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly, asked about the vote. Senator Bacik explained her position on the vote taken yesterday. The Minister acknowledged the vote. He said that he would bring the matter to Government and I am sure he will do so. I understand from Senator Cullinane that a Bill will be introduced next week in the other House proposing a referendum on that matter. I wish to state clearly and put it on the record of the House in case of any doubt from any source that it is the Fine Gael position that we are totally opposed to the privatisation of our water supply. It is a case of deciding how to deal with it, whether by means of a referendum or by the strengthening of legislation. Yesterday I asked for time to allow the Government proposals to be put in place before having a vote but that was not what happened yesterday.

Senator Bacik spoke about yesterday's debate on penal reform and she called for a further debate. We can consider that debate in six or eight months' time.

Senator Barrett made a number of points about Irish Water. He questioned the postcode system which was debated in committee. He asked that the Minister, Deputy Alex White, come to the House to discuss the matter. I will inquire from the Minister whether he will come to the House to deal with that matter.

Senator Conway called for a debate on the Ruhama report. The matter was discussed in the House yesterday on the Order of Business. A number of Senators raised that matter. I understand the Cabinet may be discussing this matter and there may be a decision in a number of weeks.

Senator Leyden complimented the organisers of the web summit. On Tuesday we complimented the organisers and welcomed all the attendees. I may have been confused but Senator Leyden mentioned that he was with the former Minister, Brian Lenihan, when he got the call from Jean-Claude Trichet-----