Barry Cowen (Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to provide clarification on foot of what has been said. As far as I understand the average household occupancy previously referred to by the CER was 2.6. A two-person household is more than accommodated, as is a three-person household and a four-person household. When one goes beyond that there is provision for clarification to be sought in the event of the use being over the allowance. If there are five or six people in the household there is an allowance for them. The situation remains as it was when the Dáil instructed the Government to provide legislation to give effect to the recommendations of the special committee. In the future, 92% of people who were getting bills will not get them in the future. In regard to the 8%, I have every reason to believe that 4% of cases will be resolved and clarified and one will be left with 4% who still wish to use excessive amounts and that is when the penalties and fines will kick in thereafter.