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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 8 Jul 2014

Vol. 847 No. 1

Water Services (Taking in Charge of Estates by Local Authorities) (Amendment) Bill 2014: First Stage

I move:

That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to make provision which will ensure that no delay on the taking in charge of private housing estates by a local authority shall occur as a result of a transfer of property by a local authority to Irish Water.

Again, this issue has arisen because the recently introduced water services legislation did not seek to address an issue flagged during its passage. Unfortunately, the Government did not accept the various amendments proposed to address the issue. There is a legislative lacuna such that when local authorities are asked to take various public estates in charge, they believe there is a legal impediment to their doing so by virtue of the fact that all water services are to be taken in charge by Irish Water. The local authorities believe the existing legislation prevents them from taking estates in charge. I am obliged to bring forward this Bill to address the legal impediment in order that local authorities would be able to take in charge many of the estates that dominate the countryside on foot of the large-scale developments in recent times. It would allow local authorities to maintain them in a proper fashion in order that people can enjoy them and their localities and communities. I ask the Government not to oppose the Bill and to seek to address, as soon as possible, the deficiency in the legislation it brought before the House earlier this year.

Question put and agreed to.

Since this is a Private Members' Bill, Second Stage must, under Standing Orders, be taken in Private Members' time.

I move: "That the Bill be taken in Private Members' time."

Question put and agreed to.

There is one little matter I want to raise on the Order of Business.

I am sorry, but the Order of Business is finished.

I thank the Minister for Education and Skills for his-----

I am sure the Deputy can thank him in person.

I would like it to be said in the House.

I ask the Deputy to please resume his seat.

Would it not be nice to do so?

The Order of Business is finished.

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