Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I believe the problem could have been worked out. The Minister in his response yesterday in this House asked if Senators were seeking that Irish Water or water be protected from privatisation under the Constitution. We are seeking the protection of the water resource. We should have debated that issue.

What are we afraid of? Why are we not willing to stand up for the Irish people and say that water is a life resource that needs to be protected? It is proposed to hold a referendum providing for a reduction in the age for candidates for the Presidency. Is it more important to hold a referendum on that issue than it is to hold a referendum that seeks to ensure protection of a resource for life that, as stated previously by Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell, should be "referendum-ly" ours?