Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I stand by my statement to Deputy Healy last week that the Government will, before the local elections, produce, publish and debate the financial and business model dealing with the structure and running of Irish Water. In its commitment to set up Irish Water, the Government stated there would be a free allowance per person and a charge would be levied for usage thereafter. The business and financial model and structure the Government will present will include the level of subvention the Government intends to provide from the taxpayer for the allowance that will be included in that structure. This will set out the average charge per household. Shortly thereafter, Irish Water will submit to the regulator its detailed plan, taking into account what has been determined in Government policy and decisions. The Government will make the decision about the level of subvention, which will determine the extent of the allowance and the average charge per household. I cannot tell Deputy Healy what he will be charged in January 2015 when he receives a bill because I do not know the culture of water usage he will adopt.

What we have said is very clear. The Government will set out its structure, that is, the financial and business model for Irish Water, and the level of subvention will determine the average charge, which will be known by everybody before the local elections. The plan Irish Water will submit to the regulator must be open for consultation and debated in a full, open and transparent manner. The statistical details are a matter for the regulator. The Government sets policy and the Deputy will know the policy long before the local elections. While it will not be produced next week, I stand by my statement that it will be produced in the next couple of weeks.

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