John Kelly (Labour) | Oireachtas source

Like other Senators, I do not see the need for this amendment. Senator Ó Clochartaigh seems to suggest that the system is not working. Perhaps it is not working in Galway. County Roscommon has had serious water quality issues for the past 20 years, including contamination with cryptosporidium and E. coli. The HSE acted quickly to inform the public in those cases. Public notices were in all newspapers and on radio. I cannot see how this amendment would improve on that. Since the inception of Irish Water, seven new schemes have started in County Roscommon, something that never happened before with all the money that was being pumped into fixing the water system in Roscommon.

I am pleased to hear that Ervia is committing approximately €600 million to fix the water quality problems in the county. The fact that we have 50% leakage is a serious matter of concern. I do not see the need for this amendment. The system in my county is working very well. I compliment the Minister again on the job he is doing. He is a listening Minister, and this much was acknowledged earlier, even by Senator Ó Domhnaill, who said the Minister had listened to the people.