Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Am I correct in thinking that Uisce Éireann will be a semi-State body? That is my understanding of what it will be, but that does not appear to have been understood in some places.

Given our growing population and our need for huge quantities of water in both agriculture and industry, it is vital that we secure our water requirements for the future. The Dublin area, for example, is approaching a knife edge in terms of water supply. When there are dry spells, as occurred this time last year, reservoirs such as Poulaphouca reach dangerously low levels. Along with that, there have been water restrictions from time to time due to inability to process sufficient quantities of treated water. The Dublin region has been more fortunate than many other parts of the country. Not far from the Leas-Cheann Comhairle's constituency, for example, Galway city has experienced severe problems, as have other places. It is important that we have a decent standard overall.

To ensure an efficient supply of clean, treated water on a national basis, the creation of Uisce Éireann is a welcome and far-reaching development. As some people are aware, there are plans to bring water from Lough Derg on the Shannon to Dublin. This is clearly a vital project which must be ready for the early 2020s if there is not to be a serious crisis. Driving this project forward will be a mark of how well Uisce Éireann is operating.

One of the first functions of Uisce Éireann will be to install water meters. To reduce costs for consumers it is important that Uisce Éireann gets value of money in terms of contracts established with companies doing this work. It is also important that there is demonstrated competence in the jobs these companies do. I hope the meters will be tamper proof and capable of being read by Uisce Éireann without requiring access to a property. This will clearly be more of a problem in apartment complexes, but I hope that best practice in this regard can be imported from other countries.

I hope the installation of meters will give Uisce Éireann a better picture of whether water leaks are on or off a person's premises. The fact that people will be paying for water will encourage them to tackle leaks in their premises as soon as possible.

While the Bill does not indicate what the water charges will be, it amends section 105 of the Water Services Act 2007 to provide for the introduction of such charges not before 1 January 2014. Given the great financial pressures on so many Irish families and the level of waste of water, it is important to ensure people receive a certain proportion of their water for free. Is the Minister in a position to tell the House what the free allowance of water will beper capitaand what the specific allowance will be for the most financially deprived? Can he set out also the cost per excess litre?

I am concerned to ensure that we make good use of our water. Consider the use of our toilets. The Internet suggests the average toilet uses between eight and 13 litres per flush. With the reduced-flush of more modern toilets, one gets away with just four litres. In other countries, there are such contraptions as waterless urinals. As part of the roll-out of the new regime, it is very important that people are encouraged to use less water to avoid excessive bills. I ask for the provision of an education element to the work of Uisce Éireann to ensure that people can be directed towards using as little water as possible while avoiding inconvenience to their lives.

The move to Irish Water will be a good one if it provides adequate, clean and safe water, modernises our system, including our leaking pipes, and encourages people to conserve a valuable resource. If we get to that position, the establishment of Uisce Éireann will have been a fine piece of work.

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