Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Workers and Unemployed Action Group) | Oireachtas source

During Leaders' Questions on Tuesday of last week, I asked a number of basic questions on water charges, which the Government will introduce on 1 October 2014. I asked whether families would be charged for water in cases where their water supply was not fit for purpose, a boil water notice was in place or hard water was being provided that was affecting electrical appliances. I also asked what would be the charge, whether a free allowance would be provided, if so, how much the allowance would be, and if a higher free allowance would be provided for larger families and persons with a medical condition which necessitates greater use of water. The Taoiseach refused to answer my questions and dismissed my suggestion that he was attempting to kick this issue down the road beyond the European and local elections. However, he provided a definitive assurance that members of the public would know the precise position in respect of water charges before the European and local elections. He stated: "In the next couple of weeks, the Government will bring to the House the financial and structural model under which Irish Water will operate and it will include a very clear analysis and presentation of how this will operate, the extent of the charges that will apply, the follow through on the use of an allowance of water and the charge thereafter." At a meeting of the Joint Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht yesterday, representatives of Irish Water and the Commission for Energy Regulation stated precisely the opposite, noting that an indicative charge would be announced by June and the charge would be set in August, both of which months fall after the European and local elections. Either the Taoiseach misled the House yesterday week or Irish Water and the regulator misled the joint committee yesterday.

Members of the public and Dáil are entitled to know the truth about water charges. The Taoiseach must clarify the position today. Did he mislead the House last week? Did the regulator and Irish Water mislead the joint committee yesterday or does one hand not know what the other hand is doing? Will the Taoiseach specify the date on which the report he promised last week will be laid before the House for debate? He indicated it would become available in a couple of weeks. I presume that means it will be presented not later than next week.

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