Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

A topical issue today is the future of water services in this country. The decisions that this Oireachtas and the Joint Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services recommend will have an impact on whether the country addresses serious environmental issues such as pollution, water shortages and water quality. The Oireachtas, irrespective of political ideology and party positions, has a responsibility to the State and its citizens. The decisions that will be taken will impact on the risk to our environment and the risk to the State's finances.

If we are not legally compliant with our EU obligations and, indeed, Irish environmental law, the State will be exposed to serious financial risk in terms of fines that are retrospective to 2009, amounting to approximately €20,000 per day, with a lump sum also attached. If we do not take a responsible position on the future of water services in the country, a legal liability of almost €50 million will be attached to the taxpayer.

In addition, we will not have a sustainable system that will address the pollution flowing into our rivers and onto our beaches and capacity shortages in Dublin and other cities. This affects our future in sustaining water services. Will the Leader use his influence to ensure that colleagues, irrespective of party positions, adopt a responsible position and will he make provision for a long debate on this issue when the Joint Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services has finalised its recommendations?