Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Senator Norris covered much of the ground I intended to discuss but there are some variations I wish to outline. I ask the Minister to clarify the provision for at least 12 and not more than 60 members. Why did he consider such a wide gap in the numbers appropriate?

Long experience has taught me that when it comes to Opposition amendments to Government legislation on specific organisations, the Government always demurs on them. I am not surprised, therefore, that the wording refers to representing the interests of customers of Irish Water. In practice, that gives a Minister wide latitude as to whom he or she can appoint. Sinn Féin has tabled a worthy amendment and I understand the motives behind it in terms of making the forum more broadly representatives. However, what happens if the amendment is passed and the Minister's hands are thereby tied? He would also have to ensure the interests of the customers of Irish Water are represented alongside householders, commercial water users and trade union representatives. When it is read in that context, it ties the hands of a Minister.

That is why I am interested in hearing the Minister's response. I ask him to spell out how he intends to initiate the process of establishing the forum. How will the members be selected, through the Minister or the Public Appointments Commission? Will it be based on an open invitation to the general public to declare interest in positions, followed by some sort of culling process? The legislation is not quite clear on how this is supposed to happen. It merely states that the Minister will introduce regulations for the composition of the forum. While I understand the Minister's opposition to the amendment, the legislation is somewhat woolly in respect of how the forum will be established and how many members it will comprise. The Minister might also respond to my concern that the amendment restricts the Minister of the day in the appointment or reappointment of members of the forum.