Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

I should point out that the question was misspelled. It should have referred to countywide, rather than countrywide, charges. I apologise in that regard.

If counties have not completed their water metering programme, they do not have to apply the county at large charge in 2007. It is inequitable that the same circumstances do not apply in every county. Until it does, it can be deemed unfair that it applies to certain counties like, for example, County Louth.

Where non-domestic users in towns such as Drogheda and Dundalk had water and sewerage charges applied, users in Ardee and Dunleer paid water charges only. This year, users in Ardee and Dunleer will have to pay water and sewerage charges and this involves a significant increase — up from 80 cent per cubic metre to €1.55 per cubic metre. This will have a significant and adverse impact on some communities whereas other communities in other counties do not pay this county at large charge.

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