Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. There is a sense of outrage among the public in the wake of recent events, as articulated by colleagues. As I mentioned earlier, it is like those in power have learned nothing from all that has gone on in this country in recent years. In fact, the culture of excess and unnecessary spending apparently continues. It is almost as though people did not join the dots between unnecessary spending of public moneys and the sacrifices ordinary people are having to make in order to keep the State going. It is not credible to argue that the Department has put no money into the establishment of Irish Water. After all, the €180 million allocated for that purpose is coming by way of a loan from the National Pensions Reserve Fund. What is that only public money? Moreover, the diminution of the fund will come at a cost to the public.

Many families are wondering whether they will have to pay for exorbitant and unnecessary spending undertaken by Irish Water. What we have here is an expensive monopoly already engaging in waste and lavish overspending, to the disgust of ordinary people. Every overpaid consultant in this situation has been sponsored by families, older people and those struggling to make ends meet. I call on the Government to publish the annual water cost to Irish families immediately. People want to be able to plan ahead in terms of their household budgets. That information will be highly relevant, in particular, to people who are considering buying a house, people who may or may not have access to wells they might wish to repair and avail of in order to save on long-term consumption costs, and prospective home purchasers who might have access to group water schemes.

It is proposed that the charging structures will be designed in such a way as to make large users in agriculture and industry pay and encourage people not to waste water, as we would all agree should be the case. Surely, however, the corollary of this is that people should not have to pay for low-quality water. If consumers are experiencing poor water pressure or poor-quality water, will that be reflected in the costs they will have to bear? Fairness would demand that it ought to be. I understand the first charges will be introduced within 12 months and certainly in time for the new school year and as the planning for Christmas begins. Families deserve transparency in respect of the costs they will face in advance of their being introduced at what is a very expensive time of year. Of course, the local and European elections will be well over at that stage. Will the Minister of State address this question of water quality? Specifically, will consumers who are experiencing a substandard water supply still have to pay the full cost per unit? There needs to be a public consultation, which we have not had to date, regarding water quality, pressure and so on. People need to know whether the watchdog is on their side.

I have heard reports that millions of euro were spent on the services of branding consultants for Irish Water. Will the Minister of State clarify the situation in that regard? A figure of €4 million was mentioned. I cannot understand how a company that will have a monopoly would need to incur any expense in respect of branding costs. I am not claiming the figure I cited is correct. Rather, I am asking the Minister of State to tell us how much Irish Water has spent on branding and, in particular, whether any significant sum has been expended on branding or consultancy around corporate identity. I do not see how such expenditure could be justified in a situation where the company will enjoy a monopoly. I will be very grateful for the Minister of State's reply in this regard and any other information he can supply to address the concerns I have raised.