I raise the issue of two sets of workers. I refer to civilian Garda staff, of whom there are 4,500, and those county council workers who work in water services. It is proposed that county council workers are to be switched over under the control of Irish Water and that civilian Garda staff be switched from the Civil Service into the public sector. Both groups of workers are greatly concerned about their terms and conditions and promotional prospects. Civilian Garda staff took jobs in the Civil Service, which allows them to switch between different Departments and offices, be it Revenue, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine or whatever. This movement will be completely restricted now and their terms and conditions will be changed. The same applies to workers in water services. These workers have contacted me. They are concerned that there is not nearly enough consultation taking place. They want their union to be fully involved in negotiations if these proposed changes are to go ahead. I urge the Tánaiste to ensure that proper negotiations take place with both sets of these workers.

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I appreciate that it is one that is causing some concern for local authority and Garda staff. We are trying to make reforms in these areas by making Irish Water a stand-alone utility and semi-State company and by bringing civilian Garda staff and gardaí together into a single service. That makes sense from a public interest point of view. The workers in question are very well represented by their unions. I am sure that proper negotiations and engagement will take place before any changes are made.