Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The proposals in respect of the installation of water meters and imposition of water charges was dreamed up by Fianna Fáil and is now being kept alive by Fine Gael, supported by the Labour Party. Fianna Fáil's National Development Plan 2011-2012 states: "Part of the expenditure saving package will arise from the introduction of a scheme of metering and charges for domestic water. Overall, it is anticipated that these measures could lead to an annual saving of €500 million". Fianna Fáil is now opposed to the introduction of water charges.

This Bill sets in train a process that will see 1.3 million holes drilled outside people's homes and the installation of water meters with money from the National Pensions Reserve Fund. This means people will have to pay twice or, if the Government has its way, three times, for water, first through their incomes, second through the National Pensions Reserve Fund and third, through water rates.

The installation of meters will prove costly and inefficient and will result in 1.3 million holes in footpaths. Experts, including the local authority professional officers, estimate the cost in this regard will be €1.2 billion. Other estimates include one for €500 million. Meanwhile, private companies in Britain are attempting to complete installation of water meters 20 years after the process first commenced. Installation of water meters in Ireland was supposed to commence in 2012. I am not aware of any water meter having been installed. The Government also stated the process would be completed over two years.

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