Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir Fitzpatrick agus cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. Tá súil agam go bhfuil áthas an domhain air a bheith ábalta cúpla focal a rá ar an ábhar seo. Is ábhar tábhachtach é an t-uisce.

The Minister of State is very welcome. Of course, this is a really important point and an important debate. I commend Senators Garvey, Martin and Pauline O'Reilly. As Senator Fitzpatrick said, we fully support this. I apologise; I had an appointment outside this House today and I only got back quite recently, which is why I was a bit late coming in.

I support what has been said by Senator Garvey and our colleagues, and I listened very intently to what the Minister of State said in his address to us. This is a very important issue. Of course, as Senator Paddy Burke said recently, many communities are already paying for water. Within those communities, where we have sports pitches, graveyards or whatever else, we should be well able to put fonts in those places for public use.In that regard, it is very important we respect water. There is a lot of disrespect for water and it is such a vital commodity. I recently referenced in the Seanad the fact that although they are not as bad as those experienced in parts of Europe and parts of the US and elsewhere, we can get periods of extreme heat here. Mount Dillon, which is very close to my home, is usually one of the warmest places in the country in such periods. We find that some farmers and householders are actually running short of water most summers. That is something we should be very aware of. Water can become a very scarce commodity in this world and we should have enormous respect for it. It should not be wasted or disrespected. In any debate in relation to water and the conservation of it, I am always saying rainwater can be saved. I note that the Government has introduced substantial grants through the new targeted agriculture modernisation scheme, TAMS, and rainwater can be saved. I tell farmers to look at investing in that. Senator Fitzpatrick spoke eloquently about the beautiful waters in Rome. She is very well disposed to the issue. I am not as well disposed, but I am aware of the grave danger of this world and even this country becoming short of water. That is why it should be looked after, respected and not wasted. The issue of public fountains is one I fully support. I support the motion.