Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish success to all of those involved in the talks process in the North. I hope the many issues that have remained unresolved in recent years will be successfully brought to a conclusion in the days before Christmas. I welcome the involvement of the Taoiseach and Prime Minister and hope it will bring much-needed impetus to the talks.

I support Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell's comments on the privatisation of Irish Water. I will not support the Government on Irish Water if there is any doubt about possible privatisation. This issue must be nailed down and watertight in order that the position cannot be changed in the future.

I also want to mention the issue raised by Senator Kelly. A debate should be arranged on how protests are organised, particularly those held during the working week. While I acknowledge and accept the right of anybody to engage in peaceful protest, it is not right that people should be severely discommoded while going about their daily business or trying to get to hospital appointments. Last night, I spoke to a woman who spent an hour and a quarter in a taxi on her way to hospital. The journey cost €45 instead of the normal €15. The taxi driver told her that while he did not like water charges, his income had been severely reduced yesterday. It is not right that people's livelihoods were affected.