Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

I move amendment No. 28:

In page 89, between lines 27 and 28, to insert the following:

"71.—This Part shall not apply to domestic dwellings.".

This amendment essentially deals with the issue of charging for water. The Minister has devoted an entire part in this Bill to the legislative provision for water metering. I propose that this measure should not apply to domestic dwellings. As we all know, the purpose of metering is to provide for the charging for water at some stage. The argument will be made that there may be water conservation reasons for installing meters but I do not accept that. Amendment No. 28 proposes that the whole metering regime should not apply to domestic dwellings. There is no point in it applying to domestic dwellings if, as the Minister stated, there will not be charging for water.

I am also concerned the introduction of meters would in any event be a back door method for introducing water charges. The provisions in the Bill allow for the rent or hire of the meter. I fear this might operate in the way in which the old rental charge for telephones used to operate. It was not really regarded as a telephone charge but in practice it was one. In theory, one could have a situation whereby one was not charged for water but a charge could be imposed for the meter.

I propose, first, that metering should not apply to domestic dwellings and, second, that the idea of the meter being leased or rented out should not apply because it is, in effect, a way of charging for water without calling it a water charge.

See this speech in context