Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

It is important to point out that advancing the programme for Government commitment requires further detailed consideration over the coming period and a range of important issues must be addressed. No definitive or detailed framework for the implementation of the commitment can be spelled out at this point. The final approach will be the subject of a Government decision on the basis of detailed proposals which must be worked up.

The policy considerations relate to the need for legislation to give effect to a commitment which must be examined. The operational cost for local authorities to provide water and waste water services in 2007 was €680 million and the estimated cost in 2008 was €730 million. A public information campaign may be required to outline the rationale for water metering and how it would be implemented. The Commission on Taxation, which recommended the introduction of domestic water charges, recommended a public information campaign that would explain the rationale for water charges and how they would be introduced. Local authorities will need to gather information on the identity and location of domestic customers and ensure their billing systems are accurate. It will be necessary also to work out an established waiver scheme for low income householders. The development of a water charges waiver system and the necessary implementation arrangements for such a system would require careful consideration.

The whole purpose is to try to provide a prospect where, over time, we can find the means by which we can pay for the provision of water and waste water treatment, which is very considerable, on an annual basis. I do not have the details to hand but the Deputy may ask the line Minister in respect of any particular estimates regarding the provision of water metering in every household if it were proceeded with.

It is also important to refer to the whole question of the waste currently taking place because people are not charged a basic minimum and to the waste because of loss of water in the system, which cost a good deal of money to the taxpayer as it stands. The revised programme refers to introducing charging for treated water use that is fair, that significantly reduces waste and is easily applied. That is the detailed work that must now be proceeded with.

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