Taoiseach Enda Kenny

defended Irish Water in the Dáil yesterday following criticism by former minister of state Fergus O’Dowd.

“Irish Water is here to stay,’’ said Mr Kenny. “It is a fundamentally important State agency held in public ownership for the development and for the good of the country.’’

Replying to Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams, he disputed Mr O'Dowd's comments. "No, I do not agree with Deputy O'Dowd's comment that Irish Water is an unmitigated disaster. I do agree that Irish Water had teething problems during the course of when it was set up.''

Mr Martin said Mr O'Dowd had remarked that Irish Water had abjectly failed and that it was arrogant and uncaring.

Cosseted quango

Mr Adams

said Mr O’Dowd had established Irish Water and had pointed out that it was yet another cosseted quango.

Mr Kenny said he agreed that Irish Water had “teething problems’’ when it was being established. It was dealing with a situation which had been allowed to develop for many years in a country where €1.2 billion was paid to produce water, 40 per cent of which leaked away.

He said many treatment plants were inferior, many kilometres of pipework were not fit for purpose, and 20,000 people had to live with boil-water notices on a regular basis.

Mr Kenny said the situation which had pertained for so many years could not continue.

“I am the first to say that Irish Water had teething problems in it being set up, and everyone understands that. There is always a need for clearer communication about the issues involved, who pays what, and how one can pay.’’

Mr Kenny said the Government had already set out policy directions to the regulator which included the average metered water charge, the allowance per household and the allowance per child.

“This has been followed by other announcements in respect of facilities and further contributions from those who receive the household package and those who have particular medical ailments who might require lots of water whereby the charge is capped.’’

Proposals

Mr Kenny said the Government would move on a number of other proposals for the amalgamation of

Bord Gáis

and Irish Water, with appropriate competency to run what was one of the largest entities since the foundation of the State.

This was dealing with the fundamentally important issue of water for personal, social and economic reasons, and the development of Ireland as a place fit to invest in and fit to live in by having quality water at its core.

Mr Martin said Mr O’Dowd had used phrases like “intense dislike of the whole process’’ and added that people felt angry and intimidated. “These are not teething problems.”

He said there was utter confusion about health issues, and people with all sorts of ailments did not know where they stood.

Mr Kenny said he had previously said the regulator had adhered to the Government’s direction that there be a free allowance of 30,000 litres per household for water usage and an allowance for every child under 18 years.