Brendan Ryan (Dublin North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

As water charges were in place last year, the benefits accruing from the budget are such that people will have greater capacity to meet payments this year. If it were the case that the increases were being introduced this year with water charges, one would accept the argument Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh is making, namely, that the increases are being eaten into already. However, the charges were in place last year and will continue. The increases will help people to pay the charges to their households.