Housing Committee To Consider Water In Public Ownership Bill

The Oireachtas Housing committee is to consider a Bill that ensures water services remain in public ownership tomorrow, 10 April.

The Water in Public Ownership Bill passed second stage of the Dáil and, despite reaching Committee Stage in March 2018, was postponed.

Sinn Féin's Eoin Ó Broin TD has hit out at Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy over the long delay.

He said: "In late March 2018 the Bill finally reached Committee Stage. However Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil colluded to postpone consideration of the Bill.


"At the same time, the Minister did promise to return to the committee with amendments to the Bill within two months.

"Despite this Minister Murphy has frustrated the Committee in doing our work and refused to bring forward amendments while repeatedly asking us to delay proceedings. A year delay is more than sufficient time.

"Tomorrow committee stage is scheduled again. The Minister has submitted no amendments and is seeking another postponement."

Deputy Ó Broin has called on the Committee to pass the Bill, adding: "The Bill passed second stage in the Dáil by the majority of elected representatives. The Commission established by the government to look at the water issue, 'Expert Commission on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services', recommended a referendum.

"Fine Gael can no longer seek to kick this down the road. We have facilitated the Minister. We have given him time to bring forward his amendments.

"It is time to move this important Bill forward."

(CM/MH)