Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will be dealing with Ervia as well. The Title refers to alienating the shareholding Irish Water as well. I am keen to get that clarified between now and Report Stage.

The Minister referred to Ervia as a protection against privatisation. The explanatory memorandum refers to "Irish Water as a State-owned company, established as a subsidiary of Bord Gáis Éireann (now Ervia)." Substantial parts of the gas industry have been privatised. I am taking for a far more sensible route to prevent privatisation by vesting those shares in the Minister. I submit to the Government and Independent Senators that we should consider that between now and Report Stage.

The Minister said several times in his first appearance and again now that he has gone as far as he can. Last night, several of the Independent Senators were under the impression that there would be movement today, and they were looking forward to that movement, but it has not materialised. That has to be discussed. The Minister claims he is giving an undertaking that no one ever in the future of Ireland will privatise the water industry. Yet, apparently, a commitment the Minister gave to some Independent Senators not 24 hours ago is now gone. Is it true? Is this as far as the Minister can go and no further? That is not the impression that was given to the House last night. That is a matter for communications between those directly involved, but I speak as someone who listened to what was said.

There are major public finance implications. The Minister's welcome reduction of the charges will reduce the income of this company by €21 million in 2015 and €56 million in 2016. The grant will cost €130 million. There is provision in sections 10 and 12 for €460 million in payments to local authorities and €59 million for the alleviation of rates. Fully €500 million has been paid for the installation of meters. We must have the Minister for Finance involved rather than Ervia, which, subject to my research between now and the next day, was associated with the part-privatisation of Bord Gáis Éireann. That is not the protection that the Government Senators seek and in respect of which Independent Senators were reassured.

We have not referred at any stage to aquifers and all the other things that have been discussed. The purpose of the amendment is to put the shareholding in the hands of the Minister for Finance and the Exchequer. Our proposed amendment would nationalise Irish Water to ensure no one else can privatise it.

This is belt and braces. I submit very strongly that our amendment in regard to the deficiencies elucidated is stronger than the Minister's section 2. I will not move it today because we should all have time to consider it. I want to consider what is happening with EUROSTAT and with Ervia but I will re-enter the amendment on Report Stage if a similar amendment is not tabled by the Minister.