Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)

I will raise Deputy Brian Hayes's point on local authorities with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, to determine the exact differences that exist.

Deputy Brian Hayes referred to increases and claimed the Government committed to addressing the issue of charges in the programme for Government. The programme states, "Examine the provision of waste and water allowances to schools, with charges becoming effective after these agreed allowances are exceeded". There is absolutely no commitment but a reference to examining the matter.

The green flag concept is outstanding. It involves three phases, the first pertaining to waste management, the second to energy conservation and the third to water conservation. We have issued guidelines to each of the schools on how they can minimise the impact of water charges. Regulatory efforts are being made so many schools can carry out a project, at very little cost, to ensure they will decrease their water consumption.

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