Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senators again for their contributions. First I want to deal with the amendment rather than the section, because we are on the amendment. Regarding amendment No. 1, tabled by Senator Barrett, the opening piece deals with the passing of the shares to the Minister for Finance for the dissolution of Irish Water. It sets out the resolution on a plebiscite, in section (8) it talks about ensuring orderly alienation of Irish Water and in section (9) about powers of Irish Water going to local authorities within 180 days. To be quite clear on ownership, Ervia has no shares in Irish Water and no capacity to sell Irish Water. The shares in Ervia are vested in the Ministers for Public Expenditure and Reform and Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, and the shares in Irish Water are vested in the Ministers for Finance and Environment, Community and Local Government. There is no need for a transfer of shares, they are already owned.

Regarding the proposals put forward on putting this to the Houses and the plebiscite, there is a pre-determined outcome possibly in the plebiscite but be that as it may, there is also a determination here that water services would go back to local authorities. For many different reasons I do not think that would be appropriate. There are greater economies with Irish Water. We have huge investment and borrowing capacity because of Irish Water instead of 31 water utilities and it is by far the best way to go.

Regarding the contributions by Senators, I made commitments on this previously that I would bring it to Cabinet and to the Government. I have brought the possibility of a referendum to the Government and spoken for a good period of time with them. Every single part of that was vetted through the Office of the Attorney General, which is the normal way, and Senators can be sure of everything in that regard.

It was strange that Senator Cullinane suggested on two occasions that the legislation we pass in this House is not worth the paper it is written on. I have never heard a Senator say something like that in my time in public life.