A large reduction in the number of water authorities in the Local Government 2000 Bill will mean a more cost-effective and efficient system, according to the Minister for the Environment, Mr Dempsey.
But this would not mean public water systems would be handed over to private companies, Mr Dempsey told 600 local authority delegates at an information seminar in Tralee, Co Kerry, yesterday.
The number of water authorities is to be reduced from 88 to 34 under the Bill, with water and sewerage services being transferred from all urban councils to county councils. The Bill enters its second stage in October and is expected to become law in 2001.
Many urban councils here are finding modernisation of water systems and running costs too great a burden, the Minister said.
He denied this was paving the way for privatisation of Ireland's water system.
On the removal of borough status from Clonmel, Wexford, Sligo, Kilkenny, and Drogheda, Mr Dempsey agreed to allow a plebiscite in each of the five boroughs to decide.
Representatives from county and city councils indicated they were opposed to the election of outside mayors. But the Minister argued that their election for a five-year period, on a substantial salary, would raise the status of county and city authorities, "because a person voted in by the people directly always commands more respect".