Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)

My understanding of the free allowance is that the intention was for the charge to apply to waste. The free allowance was to be sufficient for the individual in the average household and would vary depending on the number of people in the household. It appears there will be sizeable income from these charges. Will the Minister confirm that this is about charging for waste and not water?

Will the Minister confirm no contractor has been appointed at this stage? Many people are hoping to be employed to carry out this work but some have indicated they do not expect to be employed because the contracts have already been awarded? Will the Minister confirm if that is the case?

The Minister mentioned figures of between €4,000 and €6,000 in regard to water harvesting, suggesting it will not be possible to assist people in getting a source of water other than direct supply. The Minister has also indicated the meters will be at a property boundary but many will be outside the boundary at a public location. There may be a serious problem if a leak occurs between the meter and the tap, and who would pay for the repair in that case? If a pensioner, for example, is facing a repair so extensive that he or she does not have the wherewithal to deal with it, how will the problem be solved? Has that been considered in the pricing of water?

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