Professor Tom Collins:

There is also a body of data on the notion of behavioural economics. If we are talking about a conservation charge the amount could be very little. The tax on plastic bags is a great example of how behaviour was impacted by a very small charge because it made people aware of what they were doing and they responded to it.

The conservation charge should not be approached as a volumetric charge. As has been pointed out it is a conservation charge rather than a revenue generator. It is quite possible that information to the householder or user might do it instead of a charge, provided they have a way of knowing how much water he or she has used and how much is used normally. I see that kind of information as fundamental to making decisions about a key resource. I am aware that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is developing models of mapping for farmers on nitrate load in their soil at the moment so that each farmer can look at a map of their farm and establish what the levels of nitrates are on their holding. This kind of information is fundamental to management.

Whether there is a cost or not is almost a secondary issue. There is a conservation demand and a revenue generation demand. I have no idea how the revenue generation requirement for the investment costs of Irish Water are going to be met. I do not have the expertise to comment on it and I do not know where it is going to come from. I certainly see a value in the excessive usage charge, even if it is nothing other than a wake up call to householders. It could be minimal. I do not know how I can work or make decisions in the absence of information.