Seanad debates

Friday, 19 December 2014

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage

 

4:20 pm

Photo of Alan KellyAlan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Shares in Ervia are owned by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. Shares in Irish Water are owned by the Minister for Finance and the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government.

Irish Water is a statutory company and, as such, is covered by statutory rules. As it has statutory functions, it is owned by the State, and that is how it will remain. It cannot pass these functions to others. I understand the reason the Senators have put this argument forward. I will give them a commitment that if they put forward an amendment for Report Stage that expands on what they are saying I will consider it or look at it and see if there is some way in which it can be embellished. I will take it in that spirit. However, I do not believe it is necessary.

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