Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

I do not see where it raises money if one must meter every dwelling. The national household survey indicates there are 1.9 million dwellings in the country now. It could cost the guts of €2 billion to meter them. What level of water charge would be necessary to raise money if one has to spend almost €2 billion metering them in the first place and if, as the Taoisech indicated, there will only be a charge after a certain minimum allowance is granted and there is to be a waiver system?

Will the Taoiseach give the House an assurance that the Government will not introduce a flat water charge in advance of metering and in advance of putting in place a minimum water allowance for every household and the waiver system to which he referred? One concern with this proposal is that we could be informed in six or 12 months time that the cost of metering is very high, that there are practical difficulties associated with the allowance and that the Government would go ahead with the introduction of a flat water charge. Will the Taoiseach give the House an assurance that there will not be a flat water charge and that this will not be progressed until the metering is done, the allowances are set and a waiver system is put in place?

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