Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail)
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Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit go dtí an Teach inniu.

Local authorities have a service level agreement with Irish Water in that the latter has tasked local authorities with providing water services to the people of this country. They are doing an excellent job. Irish Water has what it calls a balanced scorecard for each local authority, which rates each one on key performance indicators. In layman's language, it rates the service provided by local authority water services staff to the general public. I am delighted, but not surprised, to note that each local authority is performing excellently, as I am sure the Minister of State is aware. The percentage levels of performance are in the high 90s consistently year on year. In Monaghan and Cavan the levels are consistently above 90% and I thank local authority water services staff for the excellent job they do. Given such high levels of service, the question arises as to why we are taking the service away from the water services sections of local authorities and not keeping it where it is. Perhaps that is a question to which the Minister of State might relate.

Public ownership of Irish Water is the clear will of the Irish people. People want control of this utility into the future. There is a commitment in the programme for Government that Irish Water will remain in public ownership, but many are calling for a referendum to be put to the people in order that this can be enshrined in the Constitution for eternity. I support that call. Has the Government committed to holding a referendum? If so, does it have a date in mind?

Another issue I would like to raise is the fact that many local authority staff are quite happy to stay where they are. The 3,500 workers who are providing an excellent service want to stay with their local authority, and I fully agree with and support them in that notion. I understand talks are ongoing between the Government, Irish Water, local authorities and trade unions. We do not want local authority staff, who are doing an excellent job, to be forced down a road they do not want to go.It is important that we take their concerns on board.

I respectfully appeal to the Minister of State to answer the two questions I have posed. I would like to think that local authority staff, who provide an excellent service, will be looked after and that their wishes will be respected.

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir as an gceist seo a ardú. The Government published a policy paper, Irish Water - Towards a National Publicly-Owned Regulated Water Services Utility, in February which sets out its views and expectations on the next phase of transformation in the water sector. This will involve the integration of the public water system within the organisational structure of Irish Water. This will complete the broad policy and legislative reforms that have seen public water services embark on a journey of transformation from a structure based on locally organised water services authorities towards a single, national water utility in public ownership. In setting out its views and expectations on the next phase of the water sector transformation programme in this way, the Government is enabling stakeholders to engage in a meaningful change process that will give them the strongest possible say in determining their future working arrangements.

Significant issues relating to the workforce remain to be addressed in the context of integrating the day-to-day operation and delivery of water services within Irish Water. To resolve these issues, my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, has tasked the Workplace Relations Commission to recommence engagement on water sector transformation with all parties aimed at reaching a collective agreement on a framework for the future delivery of water services. This engagement is currently under way, although the inability to hold face-to-face discussions due to the Covid-19 restrictions has hampered the process. I imagine the Senator will appreciate that is a challenge and it is important that these discussions can take place face to face as that is the best way forward. I understand, however, that the discussions will take place in the coming weeks in line with the current relaxation of restrictions.

Change is difficult for any workforce and I am fully aware that many in local government services do not necessarily wish to see changes to the current arrangements, as the Senator has outlined. However, the fact that the Government has decided that Irish Water is to become a fully integrated direct labour national public utility means the status quois not an option. Continued uncertainty about the future does a disservice to everyone currently employed in water services within local authorities. It is important , therefore, that the parties to the transformation process engage intensively in the coming weeks at the Workplace Relations Commission to agree an outcome that will deliver for all parties and for the greater good. The Government believes it will be possible to reach a collective agreement that addresses the interests and concerns of all parties.

Senator Gallagher raised a second matter. It is certainly is the case that there is a commitment in the programme for Government to refer the issue of the environment, including water and its place in the Constitution, to the relevant joint committee for consideration, namely, the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage. My role includes responsibility for electoral reform. We have a schedule of proposed referenda throughout the lifetime of this Government. It is not my intention, and I do I believe it would be appropriate, to hold a number of referenda on the same day. I believe it is important that we hold a stand-alone referendum on this issue as to do otherwise would dilute the message - excuse the pun - and dilute what we are trying to achieve with this referendum. In any event, , I am keen to give the assurance that this referendum is significant and important in assuring the people on the issue of ownership of water infrastructure in public hands for the common good. It is important to emphasise that. The policy paper on water transformation agreed by Government further commits the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to consult with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions' local authority group of unions in respect of the proposed referendum. I hope that offers some assurance to the Senator on the questions posed and to the utility workers currently within local government around the transformation process.

The process is in place for the common good of all. We hope it will lead to a robust and transformative process around regulation and the provision of critical water infrastructure for the country for nature, for biodiversity and for communities.

Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail)
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My thanks to the Minister of State for his comprehensive reply. As he outlined, the uncertainty for local authority staff and water services staff is disappointing. They find themselves in a stressful situation.

I welcome the commitment of the Minister of State to hold a referendum and I look forward to an early date for that. The old adage holds that if it is not broken, we should not fix it. That springs to mind in the context of water services provided by local authorities. Having said that, as long as the views of staff are respected and as long as they are happy - ultimately, with the terms and conditions put in front of them - then I fully support them. The service they have provided to the public, to me as a public representative and to many others has been top class and I am keen to acknowledge the excellent service we get from them. I hope that will be respected by decision makers when a final call is made.

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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I wish to reassure the Senator on the matter. I wholeheartedly concur with his comments in respect of water services staff and local authorities. They provide an exceptional level of service to communities. They are constantly on call winter and summer, as well as during emergencies throughout the year. We must and do give due regard to that wonderful level of service. We want to achieve a transition towards Irish Water with which they will be happy and such that they will be satisfied that they are being taken care of.

The issue of the referendum is critical as well. I want to give an assurance that the process with the Workplace Relations Commission is inclusive. We want to ensure that all parties are brought on board to create the transformation that we all require for the country to move forward.