Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We have an opportunity on Committee Stage here. While some Senators, who have spoken at length about the importance of not privatising Irish Water, with which I agree completely, had an opportunity to reject the Bill yesterday, unfortunately, for whatever reason they decided not to. There is now a real opportunity to tie into the legislation the absolute necessity for a referendum.

A plebiscite in the Bill does not do it. This amendment is good in that it addresses what is at stake. Senator Barrett will decide as to whether it is to be re-tabled on Report Stage for Monday, but all of us are in agreement with it. If, as I am hearing from colleagues, none of us wants to privatise, and the Minister does not want to see water privatised, we should tie it in by way of a referendum. It is as simple as that.