Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)

I extend sympathies to Deputy Pearse Doherty on the sudden death of his father, who is being laid to rest this morning. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis. They say that lightning does not strike twice but the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, seems to be disproving that maxim. May we have a couple of straight answers from the Taoiseach? He has said there will be no upfront charge so is he therefore stating that people will not be charged for the installation of meters? Will he tell us whether this Government is really considering the prospect of cutting off the water supply to houses in the event of a charge not being paid? This is a strategy that was indicated by one of the Ministers. Does he believe that in this day and age that would be any kind of a civilised option?

The Taoiseach has stated there will be a number of years for the details of this scheme to be worked out and that the regulator must have an eye to the consumer and hardships that might ensue. I ask those on the Government benches to in the first instance have that eye to the citizen because the reaction of the public to yet another charge is one of wondering where they will get the money and wherewithal to meet the cost. Substantial numbers of people have not registered and will not register for the household charge for the very simple reason that they cannot afford it. Equally, hardship will ensue-----

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