Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

I know. My point is that in the county beside it the same volume of water costs €3.52. We need to address all of these issues and have a uniform system of charging that is acceptable to everybody.

It would make no sense if water in Wicklow was twice as expensive as water in Kildare. In terms of value for money, the average cost nationally of 1,000 litres of water is €2.52. Members will be aware that it costs €2.50 for one litre, or less, of water in a pub or hotel. Households and places of business are currently provided with 1,000 litres of water for the same amount.

I want now to reply to some of the issues raised. I refer Members to an article in the Irish Independent of Friday 11 December 2009 which reports the late Brian Lenihan as saying that domestic water fees would apply from 2011 and that work in this regard would cost €600 million over two years. There is nothing new for Fianna Fáil in what the Government is doing. This must be and will be done, but it will be fair. The price will be set by the regulator and the free allowance will be decided by Government.

If there is a partitionist party in this House it is Sinn Féin. North of the Border it agrees that every house in Deputy Gerry Adam's former constituency should pay €1,000-----

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