Jillian van Turnhout (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State. I thank the departmental officials who met me last week to go through the many questions I had on the Bill. As I said from the beginning, I do not stand over how Irish Water was set up or the Government's handling of it. However, we are where we are. I try to look at each Bill that comes before us on its merits.

Regarding this section, I welcome the amendment the Government tabled in the Dáil on deposits. I was very concerned about that aspect and I am glad it has been withdrawn. We do not have that system in place in Ireland yet and we need to do it, but this is certainly not the place to do it at the moment.

I considered the section vis-à-vishow we deal with other utilities. I also thank the Library & Research Service, which has been very helpful in providing the information. I compared it with electricity. A tenant might have his or her electricity cut off, but the new tenant can have it reconnected in his or her name. However, water cannot be cut off - a measure I very much supported in the House last year - because of the importance of water. We have to find a way to deal with that which is consistent with how we deal with it for other utilities, but it cannot be exactly the same because we do not allow water to be cut off. I am absolutely standing over that. I believe this section ensures that consistent approach. It ensures that a tenant must register and can be liable for charges. I am satisfied with how the Government is handling it.

I am listening to the debate in case people raise issues that I had not considered. I remain absolutely concerned about the woeful conservation aspect. I asked whether people could be requested even to nominally sign something to the effect that they would use the money for conservation. I find it unconscionable to give people money without any commitment to use it for conservation. However, we are not dealing with the water conservation grant here. I am happy with this section because it is consistent with the approach we take with electricity, although it is not exactly the same because this is not the same issue.

I support Senator Mary Ann O'Brien, who raised an extremely important issue with regard to the Environmental Protection Agency. An article in The Sunday Timesof 12 July by Justine McCarthy related to a 14-year old retaining the right to sue the State. Just to illustrate the point that Senator Mary Ann O'Brien so ably raised, the article stated:

Several reports published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have failed toprovide a definitive reason for reported health problems in the area. The EPA has consistently ruled out industrial pollution or any other toxic substance as the likely cause. It has identified farm issues, such as the nutritional value of silage and seed, as well as the liming of the land as a "contributory factor".

I encourage Senators to read the article. It is appalling that the EPA is allowed to get away with such a statement. I have already indicated to Senator Mary Ann O'Brien that when she introduces a Report Stage amendment to address this area, I will support that amendment.