Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In another era it would not have been such an issue. As many people did with building in better times, they laid the foundation and never knew how much it would cost by the time the roof was on. It is the other way now with the additional charges and with the change in economic circumstances, and people are hard pressed. While we are talking about the introduction of water charges, people are rightly worried. I have a broad acceptance of charges for water versus property taxes and household charges. People see they are getting something in return here and they understand the concept of the cost associated with the delivery of that service. They understand it is a scarce, limited and expensive resource to produce and can understand paying for it, but they would like to know how much. Obviously the metering will give them the capacity to decide themselves. At the earliest opportunity the Minister of State will need to provide at least a charging policy so that people can have some concept.

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