Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

When one looks at this section in respect of who will become a customer of Irish Water and the passing of data from a landlord about a tenant, there is nothing in it that we can support. I wonder why the Minister did not introduce another water services (amendment) Bill to be clear about what he was doing instead of trying to hide the proposed measures in a miscellaneous provisions Bill. The sections from section 47 onwards are very significant and should be in separate legislation that the Government should have introduced instead of trying to hide and slip them in under the radar in pretty innocuous legislation. We will be opposing section 47 and every section onwards.

We will table further amendments on Report Stage which I look forward to discussing in more detail with the Minister. At this stage, the Government should look at what it has done in the creation of Irish Water and the pathetic level of engagement of the public with the new utility. In reply to anyone who says this is a solid start for the company, the public has said it has no confidence in Irish Water as an entity. At the time the next quarterly payments fall due to be paid, we will see the level of payments decreasing further. The Government will not see additional payments being made because many of those who have already paid are asking themselves for what are they paying.