Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This is a suspension, not an abolition. If we did not have any future date then we would not have a clear suspension period. The commitment given in the amendment is for a nine-month suspension, which can be extended if the committee needs more time to carry out its work, and if the Minister judges that the time is necessary or if the committee asks for more time. If we had no end date then the provision would effectively be seen as an abolition until the Oireachtas decided to re-introduce water charges at some date in the future. We have given a commitment to suspend the charges for a nine-month period, not an abolition.

Even if I wanted to accept the amendments I could not do so because they have been ruled out of order. I cannot do anything about them. In addition, the amendments on the meters are out of order.