Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Will the Leader enlighten us at some point on the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017? When is it planned to proceed with it? When are we wrapping up? I note that the Government appointed a number of judges in the past two days, which was admirable of the Government. It proves we can get on with the business of the appointment of judges. I have no doubt that they are excellent candidates and the right and proper people to be appointed. I wish them well, despite what some people in Government might suggest about the Judiciary in the State. I wish them well and it is a good day that the Government had the courage to go ahead and fill those vacancies. I take this opportunity to congratulate the Government on that as it is a positive move and was the right thing to do.

At some point may we have clarity as to the proposed referendum on Irish Water? In correspondence with the Oireachtas joint committee the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, stated:

Government is firmly committed to public water services remaining in public ownership and this is reflected in the Water Services Acts. There is widespread support for this view, as recognised in the Oireachtas approval of the report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee.

The Minister is committed to working on this, which is positive. It is welcome that the Government is committed to having a referendum on water at some stage in the future. This is what the public wants and what the Houses of the Oireachtas want. It would be helpful if the Leader would indicate when the preparatory work will be put place for the referendum to take place.