Mary White (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This whole Irish Water situation is a national shambles. It is our policy in Fianna Fáil to abolish Irish Water and suspend the charges pending a full review of the policy. Fianna Fáil has consistently opposed the creation of Irish Water, and the controversy of consultancy costs, bonuses and over-staffing of this super-quango has borne out our fears. Irish Water is top-heavy in management, which has been placed on top of the existing water services in the local authorities. It has lost the confidence of the Irish people and it must be abolished.

As I said yesterday, it has caused anarchist groups to arise and create a potentially difficult democratic situation in the country. If these people on the extreme left get into government the country could be destabilised and it would give out the wrong message around the world, particularly with regard to foreign direct investment, which would run away quickly if there were any break in the continuity of centre-right or centre-left governments. We need foreign direct investment and if they see all these anarchists becoming part of government we will be on a rocky road.

The new delivery model should be a mutually owned holding company owned by the customers. The company would set national standards, be responsible for capital investment planning and borrow on behalf of local authorities. Delivery of services should be restored to the local authorities in order to ensure local knowledge and direct democratic accountability, and the company should be a slimmed-down provider of national water infrastructure.

The Minister will agree that the national road network is outstanding as a result of the partnership between the NRA and the local authorities. I do not why the same cannot be done with regard to water services. The national routes are world class.

I understand it is very difficult for the Government to face up to the fact that Irish Water is such a shambles, but if this were a business the decision would be to cut losses and start from scratch. I wish the Minister good luck.