Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

While Senator Mooney spoke for my good friends opposite in Fianna Fáil, it is no harm to remind Members that Fianna Fáil has a recurring problem in dealing with its amnesia. I remind Members opposite that Fianna Fáil signed up to a four-year programme in 2010 and agreed with the troika that it would transfer water services to a water utility and that there would be a charge for which the indicative figure at the time was €400. As I understand it, although nothing has been signed off by the Government in this regard, the indicative figure at present is only approximately €240. Consequently, I believe Fianna Fáil should revisit what happened.

Moreover, Members must remind themselves of the cost of providing water through the taps, piping and everything else. At present, 40% of water produced is leaking into the ground. Any government must be responsible - the present Administration is extremely responsible - and this problem must be and will be sorted out as part of the overall package. Equally discussions are continuing on how water service charges will be made affordable. Circumstances will apply in some instances in which families will not be able to afford it and there will be exemption limits. As all this is yet to be made available, Members opposite should not panic. The Government is on course, everything will be agreed and everything will be acceptable. In addition, Fianna Fáil Members should remember that it signed up to a great deal more.