Dáil debates
Wednesday, 17 September 2014
Leaders' Questions
5:00 pm
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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From October onwards Irish Water will be issuing bills in respect of water charges to families across the country. I could talk about the average bill of €240 promised by the Taoiseach before the local elections, despite the fact that a family with two adult children will now be paying about €590 - a far cry from his €240. I could talk about the fact that the Taoiseach said that the cost for children would be free but we now know that children will be entitled to about one shower a week and one daily toilet flush. However, I do not intend to focus on that aspect today; instead I will focus specifically on the fact that bills will be sent out to about 36,000 people-----
Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Flush them out.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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-----across the country who are in receipt of boil-water notices and about 21,000 of those live in County Roscommon. There has been very great confusion and anger across the midlands this morning because of statements emanating from Fine Gael about this specific issue giving the impression that there will be a 100% exemption now. The Taoiseach will understand that the people of Roscommon are very wary of any kind of promises emanating from him or from sources close to him.
Most objective observers would say that there should be a complete exemption from Irish Water bills for people who cannot drink contaminated water. The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Richard Bruton, made a great statement when he said that people should pay for water because we have it up to Ballygowan standard. It is clear that in these 30,000 or so houses it is anything but Ballygowan standard but that rationale has gone out the window and the spin now being put on it is that-----
Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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It is Ballymagash standard.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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-----certain elements of the bill will be exempt but other elements will not be exempt. In other words, residents may not be able to drink the water but they will be asked to pay for getting rid of that very same water. In its original legislation why did the Government not decide to specifically exempt homes and businesses with a contaminated supply of water from any water charges whatsoever? Will he agree that people should not be issued with a bill from Irish Water until Irish Water is in a position to provide a proper service to them? Will he accept in that context that people issued with boil-water notices should be exempt from day one? Is he now prepared to accept the legislation tabled by my colleague, Deputy Barry Cowen, to amend the original Water Services Bill with a view to ensuring that people would be so exempt?
Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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Why does the Deputy not say that water tax should be abolished completely?
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Settle down, Deputy.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I welcome Deputy Martin back and I note his comment about people being concerned about some statements from this side of the House; I am a little concerned about some of the statements he himself has made in the past few days. I think the people would take those into consideration, given that he is now setting his sights on the Labour Party, it seems.
Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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The Taoiseach should answer the question.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I think the Taoiseach has adequately dealt with them.
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I know this is the first day back at school but I ask Deputies to settle down please and to get back to normal.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Government has given two directions. The regulator is to issue its definitive findings and charges in the next week or so. The Government has given two directions to the regulator, that the average meter charge should be €240 - it will be approximately €238 - and that children should be free. That is at a level of 21,000 l, based on surveys carried out by Irish Water and validated by the regulator. The question of boil-water is an issue of great concern to so many people; 18,000 people are currently on boil-water notices. As the Deputy is aware, between 40% and 50% of water leaks are under the ground. This is the situation that was allowed to continue for so many years and it will be of great consolation to the people of Roscommon when the four treatment works currently under way are completed and they will not have boil-water notices in future.
The legislation prepared by Deputy Cowen to which Deputy Martin referred is not acceptable to the Government because the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government considers that existing legislation allows for greater flexibility to deal with issues of contamination of water or if water is not drinkable for whatever reason. The regulator in its indicative document indicated that there would be concessions given in respect of where boil-water notices or contaminated water or water unfit of human consumption would be involved. The regulator will issue its definitive findings next week. Therefore, we do not accept the legislation prepared by Deputy Cowen.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Taoiseach did not answer the question. I find it incomprehensible that anyone believes people should be charged for a product that is contaminated.
Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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It is illegal.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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It is beyond any logic. If water going into a household is contaminated and is not fit for human consumption, how can that family be charged for it? The original legislation should have provided for an exemption from any charge for any family with a contaminated water supply. They are paying for bottled water as it is and they have other costs associated with the fact that the water is contaminated. I find it incomprehensible and I ask the Taoiseach if he accepts the basic principle that if a person's water supply is contaminated he or she should not be obliged to pay for it. It is monstrous. The Taoiseach should listen to people who are in that situation. Whatever one's views on water charges, if the water one is being asked to pay for is dangerous, may cause one to get sick or seriously ill, is contaminated and the authorities say one will have to pay for it as well, this is adding insult to injury, it is arrogance of the highest order and is illogical and incomprehensible. Does the Taoiseach accept it is a basic principle that one should not have to pay for water that is contaminated?
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I have never had much time for the Deputy's hypocrisy. His own programme was for higher charges, introduced sooner and with no exemptions.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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That is not true.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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All of a sudden it is incomprehensible, monstrous and all these things.
Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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It is illegal.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Where is Deputy Martin living?
Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Do not talk about the law, Mattie.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Government has issued directions to the regulator which are very clear and which are being implemented.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I think people know where I live.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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In its own indicative document, the regulator indicated that its decision will be issued next week on the matter of where boil-water notices or contaminated water is involved.
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Taoiseach did not issue directions.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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To answer the Deputy's question I do not accept his party's proposed legislation. The existing legislation allows for greater flexibility-----
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Taoiseach should answer the question he was asked. Does he accept the principle that one should not have to pay for contaminated water?
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Martin comes in here with the same attitude as before the summer break-----
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Answer the question, Yes or No.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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-----and he let them languish in Roscommon for 40 years with poor water, leaking pipes, boil-water notices, lead pipes and he did nothing about it.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Then, all of a sudden, because he is preparing for the big job or whatever, he suddenly feels that nothing should be charged for at all. I absolutely understand the frustration of people at having to boil water every day-----
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Taoiseach should tell that to his candidate.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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-----because of inaction over the years. The plan is being put in place to rectify this problem and all the others associated with neglect, incompetence, mismanagement. Deputy Martin is back to his old ways of tax and spend, higher charges to be introduced sooner and leave them wallow in what they have. Deputy Martin can ask this question next week. The regulator will confirm the position inside the next week.
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I call Deputy Adams.
5:10 pm
Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Cuirim fáilte romhat. Tá an Punch and Judy ann arís. Cuirim failte roimh an Taoiseach fosta. Nuair a d'imigh an Dáil ar sos, bhí géarchéim ann. Táimid ar ais arís agus tá géarchéim níos mó ann. Tá sé sin an-soiléir maidir leis an Roinn Sláinte.
The Government's commitments in reforming the health service lie in tatters. In his very first act as Minister for Health, Teachta Leo Varadkar has shelved the Government's so-called big idea of compulsory private health insurance. B'fhéidir go raibh sé ag éisteacht le Sinn Féin.
Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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The Minister also stated plans to replace the HSE and other reforms were "over-ambitious from the start." The Minister has torn up the Government's timetable for free GP care which the Taoiseach will recall was one of the cornerstones of the famous five-point plan. Last week the Taoiseach publicly chastised the Minister. The Taoiseach defended his predecessor, Deputy James Reilly, in every controversy and debacle in which he became involved and made it clear that he was implementing Government policy and Cabinet decisions. The Minister, Deputy Leo Varadkar, has ditched the Government's policy.
Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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Where is the Minister?
Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Sinn Féin argues that the Minister should build a universal health service based on need, not wealth, and that it should be paid for by direct taxation.
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Will Members, please, remain quiet?
Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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It is impossible to know what is the Government's health policy. In such circumstances, will the Taoiseach spell out for the House and, more importantly, patients and their families the nature of that policy?
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I will defend every Minister-----
Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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That is why Deputy Alan Shatter finds himself on the backbenches.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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-----in following through on implementation of Government policy.
Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Until the Taoiseach sees fit to sack them. Those opposite should be worried when they hear the Taoiseach say that.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I do not like speculative comments from anybody, particularly in the context of collective Government responsibility and the revelation of budgetary details on which decisions have not yet been made. Everybody understands this.
In so far as the Government is concerned, I expect that Deputy Leo Varadkar will prove to be an outstanding Minister for Health-----
Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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And that he will keep his mouth shut.
Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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Put a muzzle on him.
Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Give him €500 million.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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-----and that he will complete the process of delivering on some very challenging commitments. In that regard, what he does will follow on the many difficult decisions made by his predecessor, Deputy James Reilly.
Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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A sum of €500 million will sort him out.
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Perhaps the comedians might stay quiet for a little while.
Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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The biggest comedian is on the other side of the House.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The former Minister for Health did not leave behind-----
Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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The Taoiseach is the biggest comedian around here.
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I ask Members not to make a show of the House on its first day back after the recess.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The lads opposite appear to be a little frisky at this early stage.
The Government is fully committed to the introduction of universal health insurance in the interests of ending a two-tier system that is discriminatory and inequitable and that has not worked. Even when €15 billion was being spent on that system, it did not deliver the goods. Universal health insurance will be introduced during the second term of the Government. However, a number of steps must be taken prior to that happening. These involve the strengthening of primary care services - primary care centres are being rolled out at an average of one a month - continuing the work of the special delivery unit in tackling waiting times and waiting lists, the introduction of the money-follows-the-patient model in order that people will have greater control over the services of which they wish to avail and the introduction of hospital groups which in due course will be obliged to make fundamentally important decisions on health services. When these building blocks are put in place, the introduction of universal health insurance will follow. In essence, universal health insurance will mean that every patient will become central to the system. As a result, people will be tended to, as a priority, on the basis of their medical needs as opposed to what they have in their pockets. As the Deputy is aware, not every patient can afford to go to other places for treatment.
Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Maith thú, Taoiseach. In the first instance, I cast no aspersions on the Minister for Health. As is the case with all of his ministerial colleagues, I wish him well. The Taoiseach has stated that all of the steps to which he refers will be taken during the Government's second term. Did I hear him correctly?
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy should ask a supplementary question.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I stated universal health insurance would be introduced during the Government's second term.
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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We are not having chats across the Chamber. The Deputy should put a supplementary question. He has one minute in which to do so. That is it.
Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Before the Government is given a second term, a very important element will enter the equation, namely, the people. They will have their say on whether the Government remains in power for a second term. The Taoiseach avoided the opportunity to set any real policy direction or to outline a programme of reform. He did not, for example, indicate how the election slogans or commitments which have, in fact, been torn up would be realised. Even as the autumn of its term of office approaches, there is an opportunity for the Government to abandon this unworkable policy and introduce a new approach based on genuine reform and equality and which prioritises the delivery of front-line health services and to end privatisation and establish a truly universal health care system with access for all on the basis of need rather than wealth.
This matter relates to citizens, patients, children who face huge life challenges and some of whom have terminal illnesses and the elderly. All of us have been sick at some time or other. The people to whom I refer look to the Government to solve the problems and provide the services that they require. In a society which refers to itself as a republic, a public health service that can provide people with the comfort they need is a very basic entitlement. Instead of making general remarks-----
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy is way over time.
Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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-----will the Taoiseach set out in the short time available to him the Government's current health policy, particularly in view of the fact that the Minister for Health has torn up the old one?
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy has pointed out exactly what the Government intends to do in putting in place a universal health insurance system to which the needs of the patient will be central. He has echoed my words to the effect that the patient is central and that he or she will be treated on the basis of his or her medical needs as distinct from his or her income. In order to reach that point, certain foundations and building blocks must be put in place. I have already referred to them. They are: the money-follows-the-patient model; the special delivery unit's work to tackle waiting times; primary care services; and hospital groups. The money-follows-the-patient unit has been established; negotiations with GPs are under way and hospital groups have been established in a number of instances. Legislation is being processed to facilitate this. These are important steps on the way to creating a universal health insurance system.
I am glad that the Deputy shares the Government's view. People and patients are central to all of this. The people gave us a mandate to fix the public finances and get the country working. All the big indicators are pointing in the right direction and people understand this. We must make the benefits filter down to every house throughout the country in order that people can understand what has been achieved. In the context of the health system, the patient is central. That is the focal point with regard to universal health insurance. In order to achieve this during the Government's second term, these essential building blocks must be put in place. I know that the Deputy shares my view of that concept.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Dream on.
Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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During the summer other Deputies and I were continually contacted by people who were increasingly concerned about Irish Water. There are three elements to their concerns: first, they are angry with being obliged to pay for water; second, they are worried about what they are signing up to and what the financial implications will be; and, third, they are troubled about supplying their personal public service, PPS, numbers to what is, in effect, a private company. They cannot understand the requirement to provide such a personal item of information, particularly when no other utility company requires them to do so. They are angry, which is very understandable. Their anger is based on the fact that the word "personal" is pre-eminent in the title "personal public service number". Irish Water expects people to willingly supply details of their bank accounts and PPS numbers. Essentially, such numbers act almost as a PIN code for all sorts of private information. Irish Water has claimed that it requires people's PPS numbers in order to decide what allowances they should be allocated. However, even a cursory glance at the data protection statements on PPS numbers on the company's website is enough to strike fear into any citizen.
I say the word "citizen" deliberately because Irish Water keeps on referring to us as customers. The website goes into detail about how personal public service numbers will be used, among other things, for marketing and credit checking purposes. What credit checking purposes are we talking about now and, just as important, into the future? The Irish Water website goes on to say that the company can transfer all information to third parties and "By submitting data to Irish Water, the Customer agrees to this transfer, storing or processing".
5:20 pm
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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A question, please.
Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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This is on the website. The company states that if the business is acquired by a third party the data will be transferred to the buyer. People, citizens, are a commodity or asset that can essentially be traded between corporations in future.
Why would anyone willingly sign up to this? Is the Taoiseach comfortable about asking people - it is in legislation - to disclose such private information, potentially worldwide? That is actually what it says on the website. Will the Taoiseach amend the legislation to eliminate this and at least give people the comfort of having their personal information retained as personal information?
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Murphy mentioned three things, including payment for water. Clearly we have not been in a position for many years to provide the investment level into the water system in general to cater for the country's needs.
Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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The Government does not need a PPS number for that.
Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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That is what taxes are for.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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It is costing €1.2 billion and 40% is leaking away. We have 18,000 on boiled water notices, inferior pipework and treatment works that are the subject of concern from a European point of view. That is the reason for the setting up of Irish Water as well as to have a utility that can borrow, invest and bring that standard up to where we would expect it to be.
Peter Mathews (Dublin South, Independent)
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Answer the question.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Obviously, water charges are an alternative to increased income tax. People will have opportunities to save water and to be careful about the use of water. They can limit the amount of water that is used as a consequence.
Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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What about the PPS numbers?
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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It is fair to say that Irish Water has some teething problems but it is also clear that the regulator has not made definitive statements about the process of charging and the level of charges. Therefore, Irish Water is not in a position to gear up its full communications system with the people to explain the position in respect of first leaks and whether they will be fixed as well as the options and methods of payment that will be open to people and how they can do that.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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These are questions that are asked of every public representative, including myself.
In respect of the PPS numbers, clearly there is an allowance for children.
Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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Is the company looking for their numbers as well?
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Therefore, it is necessary in the interests of property owners and in order that the allocation to households can be determined. Where children are involved there will be engagement with the Department of Social Protection in respect of information as to the numbers of children in any household where an allowance is given.
Deputy Murphy will also be aware that arrangements are being made for an extra €100, as announced by the Minister for Social Protection, for those who receive the household benefit package. Particular arrangements will be made for people where there are children or adults who have particular medical conditions that might require the use of extensive amounts of water. In such cases they will be capped. All of that, I expect, can be clarified and dealt with in detail once the regulator makes the announcement in the next week to ten days.
Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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I do not think the Taoiseach fully understands the implications of handing over this personal information on almost the entire nation to a private company. Let me quote what Irish Water says on its website:
Irish Water may disclose the Customer's data to third parties in the event that it sells or buys any business or assets...if Irish Water or substantially all of its assets are acquired by a third party, in which case Customer data held by it about its Customer will be one of the transferred assets.We all know that information is now an asset. I believe there are serious implications. Essentially, Irish Water is clearly defining people's personal information as an asset, its business asset. The Government has not thought this out. What information or guidance did the Government get before it put that into the legislation in respect of the consequences for people if the company is sold? The Taoiseach keeps telling us it is not going to be sold, but why is this on the website if that is not a possibility in future?
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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It is important to say that until the regulator issues definitive findings Irish Water cannot respond in respect of many of the questions that have been asked by people - these are perfectly legitimate questions that they need answered. I agree with Deputy Murphy in the sense that people would be reluctant to sign up to blank cheques without knowing what they are getting.
Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent)
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That is what it amounts to.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Following the statement to come from the regulator, which will clear this, Irish Water will be in a position to deal with the queries that arise.
John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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It is already on the application form sent out to people.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The company will have to know the numbers of children in houses for the allowances, in respect of which the Government has directed the regulator, to be applied as well as in respect of the allowance of 31,000 litres allocated to each household.
Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Will the Taoiseach get Irish Water to withdraw the forms?