There were far worse consequences. I echo the sentiments voiced by Senators Bacik, Mooney and Barrett regarding the House's debate yesterday on Irish Water. I commend the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Kelly, on the good grace, dignity, poise and humility he displayed. He put his hands up and acknowledged that unacceptable mistakes had been made in the establishment and conduct of Irish Water. The House marked itself out on what was an historic day. Yesterday showed that we could think for ourselves and were not just the Government's puppets, but it did not necessarily reflect a split on the Government side of the House. I am certain that my Fine Gael colleagues are every bit as committed to retaining Irish Water in public ownership as we in the Labour Party and others are. However, there is a difference of opinion as to how best to achieve that. I am not a legal expert, but some argue that public ownership should be enshrined in the Constitution. I agree with Mr. Jack O'Connor of SIPTU and others in that regard. Elsewhere, people argue that such a measure could lead to unacceptable, unfortunate and "unforeseen" consequences. I would argue that there could be terrible unforeseen consequences of not doing so.

Will the Leader reconvene the debate at the earliest juncture so that we might have a proper and full discourse? Some 20 Senators had indicated their wish to speak, but most were denied that opportunity due to a blatant abuse of privilege and the blackguarding by one particular Member of the Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach. That is not acceptable.

Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

Yes. Can anyone explain to me how we can fix or replace lead pipes, stop pumping raw sewage into our rivers, streams and seas, replace 490,000 septic tanks, secure a sustainable water supply for this city, build new reservoirs and ensure a safe supply of water for companies like those attending the Web Summit about which we have been boasting without investing in a creaking Victorian infrastructure that is breaking at the seams or establishing an entity like Irish Water, one that is run properly and applies a fair and affordable water charge? It would be reckless and politically dishonest to try to fool people into thinking one could get that money without setting up Irish Water or applying a fair and affordable charge.

The Senator could make those points during the debate.

We should reconvene the debate so that the House might continue teasing out these issues.

Hear, hear.

We do not all have to agree, but we should at least show respect for the other person's perspective until we arrive at the right solution for the country's good.

I agree with a great deal of Senator Whelan's comments. Regrettably, many of us did not get an opportunity to debate the matter yesterday. I was impressed by the Minister, Deputy Kelly. He spoke well and was clear in what he stated.

I wish to address a specific point on which I want to reconvene the debate. According to the Minister, "over 800 km of the water pipes in Dublin are well in excess of 100 years old." It seems absurd that Irish Water plans to assign to customers responsibility for what is primarily a Victorian piece of infrastructure that has many leaks and could develop further ones. Irish Water has stated that it will repair a leak for free on one occasion, after which the householder is on his or her own. Anyone selling something must warrant it, be it a car, a television or a foodstuff. This policy should also apply to Irish Water and oblige it to give a ten-year guarantee on older pipes. Topics like this one have not been discussed but need to be. Whatever went wrong yesterday meant that many of us did not get a chance to do so. Many points could have been made. It is essential that the House get a chance to debate Irish Water again in the near future.

It was correct of the Government to take steps to ensure that the ongoing scandals at some foreign language schools did not continue, but a number of legitimate schools have been hit as well. There seems to be a significant delay. One school with a large number of students has been waiting ten months for recognition. It will have to close this Christmas if it does not receive the permission it needs. There is no suggestion of the school not adhering to the rules and regulations that have been applied.

This something to which we should draw the Minister's attention and perhaps we should also debate it in the House.