Privatisation of Irish Water would happen over my dead body, says Kelly

Environment Minister Alan Kelly has said the Government has introduced measures as "far as we can go" to prevent the privatisation of Irish Water and that such an event would happen "over my dead body".

Mr Kelly was speaking in a five-and-a-half hour Seanad debate on an amendment to the Water Services Bill 2014, which was eventually withdrawn by Independent Senator Sean Barrett. “I would allow the privatisation and selloff of Irish Water and the water service of this country over my dead body,” Mr Kelly said. He added that it would be illogical for any party to propose that it would privatise the utility.

The debate centred on Mr Barrett’s proposal for a plebiscite on the future ownership of Irish Water, with many expressing concern that legislation prohibiting any sale could be easily amended by future governments. Fianna Fáil Senator Thomas Byrne said that the sale of the National Lottery licence was an example of how assets established by the State can be sold on at a future date.