Dáil Éireann

Dáil Éireann

Vol. 979 Wednesday, No. 6 20 February 2019 DÍOSPÓIREACHTAÍ PARLAIMINTE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES DÁIL ÉIREANN TUAIRISC OIFIGIÚIL—Neamhcheartaithe (OFFICIAL REPORT—Unrevised) Insert Date Here 20/02/2019A00100Ceisteanna - Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 674 20/02/2019A00200Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 674 20/02/2019A00250Water Services � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 674 20/02/2019B00800Social and Affordable Housing � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 677 20/02/2019C02800Rental Sector � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 682 20/02/2019D01000Local Authority Housing Data � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 684 20/02/2019E00400Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 686 20/02/2019E00450Approved Housing Bodies � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 686 20/02/2019F00300Traveller Accommodation � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 688 20/02/2019G00300Social and Affordable Housing � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 692 20/02/2019H01550Housing Data � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 696 20/02/2019J01900Traveller Accommodation � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 699 20/02/2019K00100Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders’ Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 700 20/02/2019N03100Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 709 20/02/2019S00400Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 719 20/02/2019V00600Ábhair Shaincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Matters � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 728 20/02/2019V00800Teachtaireacht ón Seanad - Message from Seanad � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 729 20/02/2019V01000Message from Select Committee� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 729 20/02/2019V01200Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 729 20/02/2019V01250Departmental Operations � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 729 20/02/2019X00200Taoiseach’s Meetings and Engagements � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 733 20/02/2019Z00050Cabinet Committee Meetings � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 737 20/02/2019GG00100Teachtaireacht ón Seanad - Message from Seanad � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 742 20/02/2019GG00300Message from Select Committee� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 742 20/02/2019GG00500Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 742 20/02/2019GG00600Heritage Sites� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 742 20/02/2019JJ00200Water and Sewerage Schemes Expenditure � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 745 20/02/2019KK00300Garda Deployment � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 748 20/02/2019LL00450Inquiries into Garda Activities � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 751 20/02/2019MM00700Confidence in the Minister for Health: Motion � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 754 20/02/2019SS00200Visit of Maltese Delegation � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 771 20/02/2019SS00400Confidence in Minister for Health: Motion (Resumed) � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 771 20/02/2019CCC00100Presentation and Circulation of Further Revised Estimates 2019: Motion � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 791 20/02/2019KKK01300Data Sharing and Governance Bill 2018: From the Seanad � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 808 20/02/2019TTT00600Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 828 DÁIL ÉIREANN Dé Céadaoin, 20 Feabhra 2019 Wednesday, 20 February 2019 Chuaigh an Ceann Comhairle i gceannas ar 10.30 a.m. Paidir. Prayer. 20/02/2019A00100Ceisteanna - Questions 20/02/2019A00200Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions 20/02/2019A00250Water Services 20/02/2019A0030020� Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Govern- ment when a referendum will be held regarding the State affording constitutional protection to the supply of water services; the status of preparations to hold a referendum in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter� [8531/19] 20/02/2019A00400Deputy Darragh O’Brien: The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Future Funding of Domes- tic Water Services in April 2017 recommended that a referendum on public ownership of Irish Water should be held� That is a recommendation that I and my party support� I want to know when the Government intends to hold a referendum regarding the State affording constitutional protection to the supply of water services. I note that, in November last, the Cabinet gave the Minister approval to do so. I would be obliged if the Minister could provide an update. 20/02/2019A00500Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government (Deputy Eoghan Murphy): The Government is firmly committed to public water services remaining in public ownership, as reflected in the Water Services Acts and in the Water Services Policy Statement 2018-2025. There is widespread support for this view, and the report of the Joint Committee on Future Funding of Domestic Water Services in April 2017 supported the concept of a referendum. The committee recommended that the wording be carefully scrutinised so as not to impact upon the status of group water schemes and individual domestic water supplies. 674 20 February 2019 Provisions in respect of the holding of a referendum are contained in the Private Mem- bers’ Bill initiated by Deputy Joan Collins currently on Committee Stage in the Dáil. Detailed examination of the wording of this Bill, which I have undertaken in consultation with the At- torney General, indicates that it would give rise to unacceptable risks. I have articulated these concerns in my engagement with the Joint Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Govern- ment. The Office of the Parliamentary Legal Advisor has separately and independently advised the committee on the Bill� I have sought to bring forward amendments to the Bill and on 11 November last, I received Government approval for the priority drafting of proposed amendments to the Bill. These focus on retaining the entity charged with the provision of public water services in public ownership. I have written to the chairperson of the committee on this matter as recently as 21 January of this year and will continue to keep the committee updated on progress made on the drafting of the proposed amendments� 20/02/2019A00600Deputy Darragh O’Brien: The Minister mentioned Deputy Joan Collins’s Bill, which is on Committee Stage. I have discussed this with Deputy Joan Collins and indeed other col- leagues from the Opposition side, including Deputy Ó Broin. I refer to the proposed amendments which the Minister sought to have drafted on, as he mentioned, 11 November last. How many amendments is the Minister looking to make to that Bill? I have heard of 20 or 21 different potential changes to the Bill. I note the Minister mentioned that careful consideration needs to be given to group water schemes. We understand that these matters are not dealt with easily but what I am trying to get a handle on is timeframe. There was an expectation, more importantly, among the public that we would be able to hold a referendum this year in line with the local and European elections� I am certain that there is a desire for the people to retain the ownership of water as a resource in Ireland� Could the Minister give me a timeframe that he is aiming for on this and also the level of engagement he has had with the Attorney General? Does the Minister expect to be

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