Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The establishment of a forum is an excellent idea. Getting the views of members of the public should be encouraged and embraced. This is what the Minister is trying to do by including provision for this forum in the legislation. The amendment that has been tabled is too specific and too prescriptive. There is no question about that. Senator Burke raises a good point on "householders". What is the definition of a householder? Does it include someone who rents or has a lease or whatever? Senator Healy Eames spoke of house owners rather than householders. The amendment refers to householders. Senator Ó Clochartaigh mentioned organisations such as MABS. Others mentioned the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. These are laudable organisations. However, they will be precluded from this amendment in appointing an organisation rather than a householder, a commercial water user or a representative of a trade union. This amendment, which has probably been put forward with the best of intentions, is far too prescriptive and would not achieve what it is meant to do. For those purposes, I believe this amendment should be rejected. It is far too specific and prescriptive.