I can absolutely say that it is a priority for the Valuations Office and will be for Tailte Éireann. I agree wholeheartedly. This is an issue not just in large urban centres but right across the country including in towns like my own of Kilkenny. Properties that have been built in very recent times are lying vacant and could be put to productive use. They could be readapted for housing or to manage the current refugee crisis. We really need to seize those opportunities. We are giving an assurance that this will go …

I move amendment No. 4 In page 17, line 31, to delete “under this subsection” and substitute “under subsection (1) ”. This amendment seeks to correct the drafting, which requires section 25(3) to refer to an order made under subsection (1).

I move amendment No. 5: In page 26, line 38, to delete “and”. This is a drafting provision.

I move amendment No. 6: In page 26, between lines 38 and 39, to insert the following: “(e) in section 56(2), by the substitution of “revision manager” for “revision officer” in each place where it occurs,”.

I move amendment No. 7: In page 26, line 41, to delete “part”.” and substitute the following: “part”, (f) in section 67A, by the substitution of the following subsection for subsection (6): “(6) The production to a court or Tailte Éireann of a certificate issued under subsection (4), purporting to state the value of a property determined under subsection (2), shall, without proof of the signature of the person duly authorised to issue such a certificate, be sufficient evidence, until the contrary is proven, of the …

I move amendment No. 8: In page 31, to delete lines 3 to 5 and substitute the following: " ".

I move amendment No. 9: In page 31, to delete lines 6 and 7 and substitute the following:

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir. I note the Senator's comments in relation to the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien. We have three Ministers working diligently in the Department and the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, has been deeply committed to trying to resolve these issues. I respect the point the Senator made and, critically, respect the work she has been doing on behalf of the residents on what has been a traumatic and difficult situation for them. Both I and the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, fully ac…

I appreciate that. Not to misunderstand that this delay is in any sense deliberate-----

It is complex, as the Senator will be aware. It is important that we get this right. These are a complex set of issues that have arisen as a result of it. The Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, wants to ensure the set of recommendations that come forward from the interdepartmental and agency working group will assist him in making the correct decisions to move this forward in as quickly a timeframe as possible. Certainly, in the Dáil and in here, other options were presented around interim solutions. I am not sure w…

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle, agus fáilte ar ais. I also welcome the ex-servicemen from the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel, ONE. My dad was a proud serviceman in the Defence Forces for 37 years, so the ex-servicemen are very welcome. I welcome this opportunity to address the House on water policy, which is a key strategic priority for the Government. The past decade has seen significant reform of the water services sector in Ireland, together with a renewed approach to monitoring and regul…

I move amendment No. 1: In page 5, line 13, after “Éireann;” to insert “to provide for the dissolution of the Water Advisory Body;”. Amendments Nos. 1 and 11 are necessary to provide for the dissolution of the Water Advisory Body. Amendment No. 1 provides for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make an order appointing a dissolution day for that purpose. The amendment also provides that the advisory body will stand dissolved on that dissolution day. On Committee Stage, I signalled the intenti…

Again, the Water Advisory Body has played an important role. Deputy Ó Broin mentioned NGOs' participation. Again, we are talking about advisory in terms of oversight by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, the EPA and now the Committee of Public Accounts, which is directly accountable to the Oireachtas. In terms of consultation, the Department has engaged with the Water Advisory Body on its dissolution and the body highlighted the need for the Committee of Public Accounts to engage actively and regularly wit…

The Water Advisory Body has advised that it is important that Uisce Éireann is held to account on the quality of its customer service and experience. Given the oversight not just of the Committee of Public Accounts but also the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage, there is an opportunity to bring a body to that forum for wider discussion on the efficacy, function and programme of works of Uisce Éireann. We are confident this is the correct thing to do. Consultation has taken place a…

I move amendment No. 2: In page 5, between lines 27 and 28, to insert the following: " "Act of 2017” means the Water Services Act 2017;". These seven amendments are technical amendments to facilitate the dissolution of the Water Advisory Body and remove any consequential matters such as the provision of grants to the Water Advisory Body. A typographical error is also corrected. Amendment No. 2 provides that reference to the Act of 2017 means the Water Services Act 2017. Amendment No. 3 provides that "dissolution da…

I move amendment No. 3: In page 5, between lines 28 and 29, to insert the following: “ “dissolution day” means the day appointed by order under section 27 ;”.

I move amendment No. 4: In page 6, line 3, to delete “2013.” and substitute the following: “2013; “Water Advisory Body” means the body established by section 43(1) of the Act of 2017.”.

I move amendment No. 5: In page 6, between lines 12 and 13, to insert the following: “(4) The following provisions of the Act of 2017 are repealed: (a) sections 44(1) and 53; (b) sections 42, 43, 44 (in so far as it is not repealed by paragraph (a) ), 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51 and 52.”. The Water Advisory Body was established by the Water Services Act 2017 with advisory and reporting functions. This amendment removes those functions by repealing the specific provisions of the 2017 Act. Section 44(1) of the 2017 Ac…

I move amendment No. 6: In page 6, between lines 15 and 16, to insert the following: “(5) Notwithstanding the repeal of sections 44(1)(b) and 53 of the Act of 2017 by subsection (4)(a) , the Water Advisory Body shall prepare a report under section 44(1)(b) and an annual report under section 53, as modified by section 28 , for the period ending on 31 December 2022.”. These amendments are linked to the repealed sections 44(1) and 53 concerning the Water Advisory Body's reporting functions. The body will cease to have…

I will respond to amendments Nos. 7 and 9 together as they concern the referendum on the public ownership of water infrastructure. Before I do, I will address some of the points raised by the Deputies in terms of the referendum. I share the concerns of Deputy Mattie McGrath in terms of the Shannon project but that is not being addressed here today. From an ecological perspective, I would have concerns about it. In terms of Government support for the referendum, it is absolute. My own party's support for a water ref…