Fintan Warfield (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

As we debate this Bill today I am particularly mindful of both the environmental and cost-of-living crises that we currently face. The ever-increasing impact of global warming has seen water levels in rivers throughout the country fluctuate. We are now faced with a future where vulnerability to drought and water poverty are real and imminent risks for all. Furthermore the current cost-of-living crisis means the economic concerns that drove thousands to the streets in protest at Irish Water in 2013 and 2014 have only increased. It is in the context of these crises that the disproportionate impact they have on younger and lower income families and individuals that we must consider this Bill. It is therefore vital that this change to Uisce Éireann is not merely a rebranding of Irish Water but a recognition of the principle that water should be free at the point of access and that any utility must be publicly owned, publicly controlled and accountable not just to the Minister and the Government but to this House and to the Oireachtas committee.

The location of the water utility in Ervia has long been contentious. The view at the time was that as it was the most commercialised of the ten State companies it would be the ideal place to frame the development of the emerging water utility in a way that would make it most conducive to privatisation. However the separation of the water utility is therefore an important step in reforming the utility. Further steps are required if we are to ensure the development of a publicly-owned, publicly-controlled and accountable utility that will meet the needs of all.

If the Government intends to enshrine ownership, management and investment of our water system in public hands then it must hold a referendum as soon as possible. As my colleague, Deputy Ó Broin has already stated if the Government proposes such a referendum and works with us either on the wording proposed by Deputy Joan Collins and endorsed by a majority in the Dáil as far back as 2016 or indeed on an improved wording we will happily campaign alongside the Government on that.

If the Government is to ensure accountability it is vital that members of the board are appointed through the Public Appointments Service. While it has been the practice of the current Minister to use the Public Appointments Service for most board appointments to date, indeed foremost board appointments to date, it is not explicitly required in the Bill. The difficulty of course is that if it is not included in the proposed legislation then it is not legally required. As such either the Minister or a future Minister could choose not to use the Public Appointments Service.Sinn Féin remains as committed today to the core principles of the Right to Water movement as we were in 2013 to 2014. We believe that the fact the movement won the core elements of the campaign was important. Due to the work of those in that movement we do not have domestic water meter charges. Sinn Féin firmly believes that water should be free at the point of access and funded through general taxation and low-interest Government borrowing. We are also convinced of the need to ensure that any utilities be publicly owned, publicly controlled and accountable.

We can have significant improvement in services as long as those principles are enshrined along with a referendum, a non-commercial semi-State company with the full protection for all current and future workers and a continued footprint of water services personnel in every local authority. We can then have a significant improvement in services. I welcome the Minister of State and thank him for coming to the House.