Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I second the amendment. Tá áthas orm bheith in ann labhairt ar an rún agus ar an leasú áirithe seo atáimíd á chur chun cinn. Sílim go bhfuil an tábhacht a bhaineann le seo léirithe go rí-shoiléir ag mo chomhghleacaí, an Seanadóir Cullinane. I have been listening to the debate most of the day and I note some very interesting points raised. Our amendment is in line with what the Minister has been saying with regard to ensuring that people know that both he and this Government are adamant they do not want to sell off Irish Water.

Many local politicians who are members of local authorities have significant experience with regard to the water infrastructure in their areas. For example, in Galway and Mayo, a number of public meetings have been held on the issues around Irish Water and on the impact on group water schemes and non-group water schemes and on local authority housing. Even though the water function has been taken out of the local authorities, the provision of water has a very great impact on other areas of the work of local authorities. In my view they are very valid stakeholders in any future discussions about privatisation. This point must be included in the debate about a plebiscite. I refer to the democratic mandate of elected councillors. If we really intend to put people first in this scenario, this amendment will provide a triple lock which would be very welcome and I cannot see why the Minister would not want to put it in place in order to reassure all those who do not believe what he said earlier.