I wish a happy new year to everybody and a fruitful new year to Uisce Éireann. It is a huge task to set up a new organisation, bringing-----

The business already is in place. It is not a new task.

Senator Cáit Keane to continue, without interruption.

I support the call made by Senator Darragh O'Brien for a debate, because it is important that all of the facts are brought to the floor of the Seanad and the Dáil. I believe the Minister will have no problem with this.

The fact of the matter is that €2 billion-----

They were concealing information-----

Senator Cáit Keane to continue, without interruption.

The fact is, Senator Walsh-----

The Senator must direct her comments through the Chair. Does she have a question for the Leader?

I congratulate Senator Jim Walsh on being the only Member to have used the term "Uisce Éireann" during his contribution. The term is included in the legislation.

The Senator is using up her time.

I have no problem with a compliment coming my way.

I just wish to point to the €2 billion in savings by 2020. Nobody in the House has mentioned that at all, but it is a fact.

We will have to wait and see about that.

Who knows what the savings might be?

Nobody mentioned the savings that will be made by a doubling of the capital investment and the leakage-----

Who knows?

The Government has suspended existing water and wastewater programmes.

I am supporting the calls for debates on Uisce Éireann and homelessness. I welcome what Senators Aideen Hayden and Ivana Bacik have said about Dublin City Council reversing the cuts to its homeless services budget.

On the question of coastal protection, as a native of Connemara, I wish to point out that my area was very badly hit during the recent storms. The Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, announced that every local authority has been instructed to apply for up to 90% of the funds they need for coastal protection measures. The applications must be submitted by 21 January. Galway and all other affected counties should apply for funding under that scheme. Funds are being made available, although I know Senator Martin Conway was speaking about private houses.