Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Senator Byrne, on behalf of the Fianna Fáil and with the support of many Senators, has given us a roadmap to resolve the particular issue arising over the ownership of Irish Water. We have debated today whether a referendum is required and the complexity of the matter. Section 7 of the Bill, on the public water forum, presents what is actually a pretty good idea. Should the Bill be passed, the forum will be established. All Senator Byrne is doing is giving to the forum that is to be established the power to assess whether a referendum should or can be held on the public ownership of Irish Water. The Minister would just be giving it another job to do. Whether there should be a referendum could be decided independently by a group appointed by the Minister, irrespective of our debate and its merits. It would consist of at least 12 and not more than 60 members, including a chairperson. The Bill states the Minister shall appoint a person to be chairperson of the forum. I await the Minister's response but genuinely cannot envisage any reason the amendment cannot be accepted.

In fairness to the Minister, his Labour Party colleagues in the House supported some weeks ago a motion tabled by a number of parties on a referendum. Senator Gilroy said this earlier. Since then, some questions may have arisen. The best way to ensure the question of a referendum will be dealt with outside the political sphere and independently of Fianna Fáil, the Labour Party, Fine Gael, Sinn Féin or the Independents is to let the public water forum consider it. I urge the Minister to accept the amendment. The only reason for not accepting it is simply because it would discommode the Dáil as it would have to come back on Tuesday. That cannot be the reason for not accepting it. What Senator Byrne has proposed is eminently sensible. It will actually assist the Minister. I am interested in hearing what he has to say.