Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister for his reply. Everybody wants to see good quality water, especially groundwater feeding into some public water supplies. It is an issue of vital social importance. There has been much concern expressed to all public representatives because of the charge element. There has also been some confusion in the debate, although we got some clarity in the Minister's statement yesterday when he indicated that he envisaged a fee of no more than €50. It is not clear how often that must be paid because the Minister mentioned it might have to be paid every five years. People are rightly concerned that this may be the thin end of the wedge in the creation of yet another charge.

The issue is rightly being perceived as a division between rural and urban dwellers. Rural householders will pay the €100 household charge in the same way as urban dwellers but in addition, rural householders will have to pay the registration charge. There is a perceived inequity in that respect.

Will the Minister explore the scenario in other jurisdictions where there is no charge associated with inspections? We agree that monitoring must take place for the right reasons but we have the wherewithal within the Department and the Government to bring this monitoring forward without imposing a charge on people. As it stands it will not impact equally on different sections of society. We realise the Government is tied to the EU and IMF agreement but savings have been found as late as yesterday and additional revenue has been raised. There is the capacity to make decisions that will avoid some of the elements of the four year plan and the EU and IMF agreement. The Minister could avoid imposing the charge.

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