John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

This Government's intention, which we announced in December, is to introduce charges for water in a way that is fair, significantly reduces waste and is easily applied. I will shortly bring detailed proposals to Government on a programme of metering of households on public supplies. It is envisaged that the installation of water meters will commence during 2011. International experience shows that once water meters are installed people are more careful in how they use this resource.

Fine Gael has proposed that a new semi-State water utility company should be established to assume responsibility for water investment and management nationally. I am bemused by Fine Gael's ability to criticize the Government for the number of State agencies currently in place, while at the same time proposing the establishment of anew one.

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