Senator Darragh O'Brien raised the issue of Irish Water, which was discussed this morning when the Cabinet considered an update on issues related to it. As Ministers have been stating for some time, the Government has recognised that it must do more to ensure there is a full public understanding of the reasons for the establishment of Irish Water and full public trust in all aspects of the implementation of that decision. All of these issues are being considered carefully as a matter of priority by the Government, working with Ervia, as Bord Gáis is now known, and Irish Water. The Fianna Fáil Party signed up to introduction of water charges in the memorandum of understanding.

That is not true.

It was only three years ago.

On a point of order, the Fianna Fáil Party, led by Deputy Micheál Martin, staged a walk-out from Dáil Éireann on the day Fine Gael and the Labour Party passed the relevant legislation. The entire Opposition took part in the walk-out.

That is not a point of order.

If I am allowed to continue, I would like to provide my colleagues with the full context. To set the matter in context, as some Opposition Senators acknowledged, the House had a full debate on the Water Services Act.

The Dáil did not have a full debate on the legislation.

Please allow the Deputy Leader to reply to the questions asked from the floor.

I agree that the other House should have been given more time to debate the Bill. However, the Seanad was careful to allocate plenty of time for the debate and I am glad that we did so. The Government has reaffirmed its support for the establishment of Irish Water as a long-term strategic investment. We are conscious that Ireland is the only country in the OECD not to have water charges.

The Deputy Leader should be sure to read it out correctly.

Water is a vital natural resource and the vast majority of people agree on the need to ensure-----

The Government wants to throw John Tierney under a bus.

Please allow the Deputy Leader to continue, without interruption.

The Senators opposite clearly do not want to hear what the Government is proposing to do about Irish Water.

Senators must allow the Deputy Leader an opportunity to reply.

She should stick to the facts, rather than being unnecessarily provocative. Irish Water is a mess.

The Senator should show some respect to the House by allowing the Deputy Leader to make her contribution without interruption.

The Government has reaffirmed its commitment which was set out clearly in the legislation that Irish Water, as a public company, will not be privatised. It is important that people be aware of this. The metering programme is ahead of target and progress has been made on its roll-out. Senators are aware of the free allowances and water subsidy for social welfare recipients.

One visit to the toilet a day and one shower a week - that is what the free allowance is.

Please allow the Deputy Leader a chance to continue.

An income tax rebate of up to €100 per household was announced in the budget. Notwithstanding these measures, the Government recognises that there is significant and legitimate public concern about aspects of the roll-out of Irish Water. Many of the issues of concern are being addressed by the board and management of Ervia and Irish Water in the first instance. The term of the board of Irish Water will expire in November and the Cabinet has stated future decisions on governance arrangements at the company will be made in the coming weeks.

It may still throw the members of the board under a bus.

As several of the commentators who have been fair on this issue have pointed out, we lose 41% of water through leakages. The water system is not working because of decades of under-investment by the Fianna Fáil Party and other parties in government.

The money was spent on administration.

I am not singling out a particular Government, but there was under-investment throughout the boom years.

A bonus culture will fix the leaks. Is that the answer?

There are boil water notices in County Roscommon and elsewhere and water shortages in Dublin. The system is not working. It is fragmented and inefficient and was under the management of 34 local authorities.

It is important that we have a public utility that will seek to have a more efficient and better infrastructure for the provision of water.

On the issue of the pay structures within Irish Water, the Cabinet has stated Irish Water is a commercial State company, a public company, set up by Bord Gáis.

I thought the Deputy Leader said it was a public company.

Yes; it is a public company.

A public company with bonuses.

With the model of others such as Bord Gáis. The Senator should be aware of what we mean by "a public company".

A public company with bonuses.

Does the Deputy Leader support the bonus culture in Irish Water?

Will the Senator, please, allow the Deputy Leader to reply?

Does she support the bonus culture in Irish Water?

Will the Senator, please, allow her to reply?

These are questions to which the public want answers.

Will the Senator, please, allow the Deputy Leader to reply?

Senator Darragh O'Brien did not seek a debate on Irish Water today but Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell did. I have submitted a request that the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly, come to the House and I am awaiting a response. I would be happy to have the debate today or tomorrow.

Now they are worried.

Please allow the Deputy Leader to reply to the questions raised.

Turn off the tap.

Please, Senator.

I am simply trying to give a fair response.

I am trying to ensure order for the Deputy Leader. Will Senators, please, allow her to give her response?

On foot of Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell's request, I have submitted a request to the Minister's office that he come to the House and I am awaiting a response. As Senator Ned O'Sullivan acknowledged, representatives of the Commission for Energy Regulation are appearing before the Joint Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht on the issue of charges, in particular. It is a huge issue. It is the uncertainty about money that is causing enormous concern, rightly so. At the end of my response I may have an answer for Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell.

I thank the Deputy Leader.