SEANAD REPORT: The Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government, Mr Cullen, assured the House that water services would not be privatised.
Making clear that he would not even consider privatisation, Mr Cullen said he thought it had been a disaster in other countries.
The Minister was responding to Mr Joe O'Toole (Ind), who said some provisions in the Water Services Bill seemed to suggest the privatisation route would be taken.
He believed such a step would be a major error in terms of the quality of life of people.
Mr Cullen said the Bill was the first consolidation and modernisation of water services law for over 120 years. He also wished to refute suggestions that the measure provided for, or laid the ground for, the reintroduction of domestic water charges.
The Bill would place a duty of care on owners to maintain the internal distribution systems of their premises in good repair and free from risk to human health.
Extensive new powers were also being provided for the purpose of conservation of water supplies.
Dr Martin Mansergh (FF) said he welcomed the fact that the Minister had dismissed out of hand the whole notion of privatisation. It was a myth that things were always more efficiently done in the private sector.
"In fact, if people are scrambling round for profits for shareholders, that could lead to greater inefficiency rather than efficiency," he said.
Mr Tim Dooley (FF) said consideration should be given to withdrawing children's allowance and other State benefits where parents failed to control their children.