Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

That is not particularly satisfactory and needs to be examined. Focused investment is needed. The disadvantage of water and wastewater treatment is that the product is largely unseen or taken for granted by the public except when difficulties arise. Investment in these matters has always been regarded as relatively politically unrewarding. Priority needs to be given to this matter and I compliment the Minister on having done so. The NewERA document, from which this proposal comes, conjures up notions of additional resources for a range of purposes. I suspect that is a mirage.

There is no question that a system of water meters and water charges is needed in order to conserve water use. Perhaps there will be a free amount through a credit system. It is preferable that this is applicable to the circumstances of each household. There is no question but that the user rather than the taxpayer should pay and I see no merit in the left-wing arguments against user charges. The Minister indicated a study is under way in his Department on the proposal put forward by the Fine Gael Party.

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