As an entity, Irish Water is a creation that will work. However, the bonuses being paid to approximately 299 of its staff are inappropriate and unacceptable. It smacks of the carry-on that took place during the Celtic tiger years. I call on the chief executive of Irish Water to reassure immediately the people that these bonuses will not be paid. He has a duty of care to the reputation of Irish Water and this country to ensure the carry-on that took place in the past will not be repeated in the future. Not alone must one ensure water is not wasted but one must also ensure taxpayers' money is not wasted either.

It must be 20 years since I referred to the plight of single fathers for the first time in this House. I wish to do so again today, albeit in particularly tragic circumstances, that is, of a woman who was brought to hospital - I believe she was 39 weeks pregnant - in a state of cardiac arrest. Her baby daughter was delivered by Caesarean section but was severely brain-damaged and could not possibly survive without life support. Her mother had been nominated as the baby's next of kin and the family, including the biological father, agreed and were content that life support should be withdrawn to end the suffering of this poor unfortunate infant, yet the hospital was obliged to go before the High Court to get a judgment from Mr. Justice Nicholas Kearns. While it was a highly compassionate judgment, it indicates that the biological father had absolutely no rights when it came to the welfare of his own daughter. This is not acceptable and it is time that this House addressed the issue of the continuing and remaining discriminations against single fathers, in particular.

This has been ongoing for far too long and it should be addressed by law. It is a matter of human rights.