Mary Ann O'Brien (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Irish Water exists and, sadly, it is not going anywhere. This good Minister is stuck holding this poisoned chalice that was handed to him. Have we not all learned a great deal about water over the past year?

I believe in paying for a world class water structure and I would still like to see a carefully planned spending strategy for the next ten to 15 years on such a structure to treat and transport our water. However, I also believe Article 10 of the Constitution needs to be debated and rewritten. There is great concern and unhappiness among the public about the potential privatisation of Irish Water. In providing for a plebiscite before the proposed privatisation of water services in the legislation, the Minister is clearly acknowledging this public concern. However, the legislation provides no meaningful guarantees. Why does the Government want to keep the option of privatisation open to future Governments? A plebiscite is a vote of every citizen who is registered to vote on an issue of national significance. I will not disagree that the ownership of our water supply is one such issue. Air and water are our most valuable natural resources. There are many natural resources but I can live without gas, for example. I understand that if the Government of the day is not obliged to follow the wishes of the people in any such vote, the Minister can choose to ignore the outcome of a plebiscite. As Senator Norris said, a plebiscite is not defining. This provision does not go far enough. A referendum is, therefore, required and I will support Senator Zappone's amendment in this regard on Committee and Report Stages.

I would like the Minister to address the following hypothetical but credible scenario in his reply: if a Government decides in ten years to amend this legislation, is it correct that a simple amendment could be tabled to delete any reference to holding a plebiscite? If the Government got the amended Bill through both Houses, it would be free to sell Irish Water if it saw fit.

They then would be free to sell Irish Water if they saw fit. I seek clarification from the Minister on this point.