Caít Keane (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome wholeheartedly the establishment of the forum. It is the single most important thing for society to be able to participate. Participative democracy is what we all espouse. When we look back at what the Constitutional Convention did, we see that it led the way in ensuring that many people from all strands and sectors of society will be included in the forum. With the numbers provided for in the legislation going from 12 to 60, there will be ample opportunity for every sector of society.

Another Senator referred to MABS, which is a group working with people in trouble. Personally, I would welcome members from MABS, the farming community, households, group water schemes and, in particular, businesses which have been paying for water all along. One speaker said the forum is extremely weak. The forum will be extremely powerful in my view. An organisation is as good as its members and the members, if the Constitutional Convention is anything to go by, will be strong. The brief it has been given is a wide one. It will be representative of the interests of all customers of Irish Water. While the group water schemes will not be customers of Irish Water originally, it should include people who may become or are dying to become customers. I know people who are sinking wells that cost €7,000 and the gunge that comes out costs nearly as much again to treat. Some people are paying very dearly for water and it might be time to hear the voices of those who have to sink wells.

According to the explanatory memorandum, the forum will have a very broad role in reviewing and commenting on various strategies and plans, including investment plans and water charging plans. Partnership with the public and private sector is the single biggest opportunity for civil society to participate. I congratulate the Leader, Senator Maurice Cummins. If we have faith in partnership and participative democracy, we must acknowledge what the Leader did in bringing groups from outside into the Seanad. The Leader has already said we are going to do more of that as society participating in partnership with the private sector, the public and legislators is for the best.

The amendment proposes to include others and a broad forum is welcome. Gender is important also. While the 40% rule is there, we are aiming for 50%. This should be kept in mind. A forum is as good as the people it is made up of. Representing all will be a huge opportunity for us.