Privatisation of Irish Water possible, Dáil hears

The Government has left the door open to the future privatisation of Irish Water, the Dáil heard last night.

Housing Minister Simon Coveney said he is reserving the right to make changes to an opposition law seeking to retain Irish Water in public ownership. The Government yesterday decided not to oppose a bill, brought by Independents4Change TD Joan Collins, which is being supported by Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil.

Ms Collins accused the Government of still leaving the option open to future governments to sell off the State’s water network to a private operator for profit.