Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

I will start with the issue of multiple metering raised by Deputies Naughten and Cowley. It is a specific problem, particularly in places like Sligo and parts of the west where there are multiple or fragmented holdings. I have already indicated that I am favourably disposed to resolving that and will issue guidelines to local authorities. More prudent attention could have been paid to this factor when some local authorities were establishing their charging systems. As Deputies are aware, I do not like intervening in areas that I regard to be within the specific responsibility of local authorities. The active functions and powers of local authorities have haemorrhaged to the centre for generations and I do not like that fact. This is an area where local authority members have some responsibility and they should exercise it.

That leads me to the points raised by Deputy Murphy. There are inexplicable differences in charges from area to area and I was pleased to publish and circulate that information. We have informed local authorities by circular that when they are striking their rates they should not, to take the point raised by Deputy Morgan, perceive it as some sort of cash cow to be milked. They must ensure cost recovery because otherwise the burden will fall on the general taxpayer; it is right and proper that business should carry some of the cost.

Deputy Naughten asked about fragmented holdings. I will be issuing a circular in that regard. I do not think the Deputy asked specifically whether it was fair that a person with a smallholding had to pay for up to 13 meters but the answer, in any case, is "No." That case should never have arisen and I will issue guidelines on abatement. Local authority members can now make those decisions but there needs to be homogeneity.

The Deputy also asked about the cost of running the scheme, including the cost of unaccounted-for water, which is a euphemism for the more common term, "leaks". We do not charge for the domestic element in this country but we charge for all other aspects of water services. Irrespective of the charging system, and bearing in mind that the domestic element is paid for by the general taxpayer, the full costs must be met. However, a more significant issue arises with regard to leakage, in the reduction of which we have invested a lot of money in the past two years. It is unacceptably high in some areas, for example it is more than 40% in the city of Dublin, which is an outrageous amount. A small investment of capital to address the problem of unaccounted water, or leakage, in the past few years has reduced the level from over 42% to below 32% in Dublin. That is the way forward and it is an issue we continue to press with local authorities.

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