Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)

I welcome the Sinn Féin motion. This is the type of issue we should be debating because water is critical to the future development of industry in Ireland. I am a strong supporter of the Dublin water supply project. The Dublin region is key to economic growth but the entire region is on the same knife edge that Deputy Catherine Murphy described in respect of County Kildare. A reliable supply of water will play an important part in our industrial strategy, in combination with our corporation tax rate and measures to attract new companies and industries. Water supply was a key reason one major technology company decided to create thousands of jobs in the Kildare area. However, Intel will need an additional 4 million litres of water by Christmas if it is to continue creating the jobs this economy so badly needs. By 2014 the Dublin region will have brought on-line an additional 20 million to 30 million litres but beyond that there are no areas from which we can draw supplies. If we fail to plan for further expansion there will be repercussions for the wider economy because of the proportion of taxation raised in the Dublin region. We have a limited strategic reserve of water and new sources must be found. The Garryhinch water project will be important in that regard.

Several Deputies raised the issue of water metering. A pilot scheme was introduced in one area in Dublin whereby smart meters were installed and mains were replaced. It was discovered that three houses were using a volume of water that was the equivalent of 160 houses. That is a total of 70,000 litres of water a day being lost from the system due to a leak in those three houses. The pipes were on private property. There is a need to amend legislation. When those people were not paying for the 70,000 litres of water, there was no reason for them to fix it so taxpayers money just went down the drain.

It is important that we have an informed debate. I am sorry that Deputy Finian McGrath has left the Chamber. Like me and Deputy Ellis, he was a Dublin city councillor. We took our job seriously. Dublin city has a low pressure system. Deputy McGrath left the Chamber having said that Dublin loses 30% of its water. Dublin was down below 30% and was going in the right direction but in a low pressure system the maximum by which one will reduce leakage is 20%. After that there is no cost benefit of further investment within the system. I am disappointed but not surprised that Deputy McGrath threw out wild figures and then left the Chamber.

We need a State company. Am I okay on time, a Cheann Comhairle?

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