Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Senator Ó Murchú that we need to protect the water of Ireland for the people of Ireland. I am delighted that Senator Barrett has put forward a measure that could strengthen the weakness of the plebiscite which the Government is offering the people. Senator Barrett's middle ground protection is a wisely and judiciously sought strengthening of the plebiscite, which is nothing in that it is reliant only on a resolution of both Houses. When have the Houses got right what the people want? We are aware of the desire and will of the Irish people that water be protected and not subject to sale.

The Government and Independent Senators who last night voted against this measure sold out the potential for the protection under the Constitution of our water. They sold us out and they sold out our resource. In so doing, they sold out the potential sources of our lakes that supply the water, including Lough Corrib in Galway, the Shannon and other midland lakes. This is a serious issue. What we are trying to do here is ensure we are never again beholden to others. The Irish people are of the view that we are too beholden to Europe and European regulation. Unless Senators give serious consideration to and vote in favour of the measure proposed by Senator Barrett we will be leaving ourselves open to Ervia selling off its shares in the future. That is what this is about. Ervia can sell its shares. Senator Barrett's measure would ensure that the Minister for Finance or the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government hold those shares. Nationalisation of those shares would be a bulwark against privatisation into the future. Who in this House would disagree with that? We must act for the Irish people and our natural resource of water which we cannot live without. As stated earlier if, in the future, a Chinese company buys the Ervia shares it will put its needs ahead of the Irish people.

Let us give serious consideration to this legislation and do our business well by including the necessary protections. I welcome that debate on this amendment, which provides some protection, has been agreed to. I thank Senator Barrett for his wisdom in tabling it.