Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am trying to bring enabling legislation through the Oireachtas so that the basic powers to establish the company and allow the regulator to commence work are established. Notwithstanding the troika agreement, it is a matter for the Government to decide when charges will commence. I believe the Deputy mentioned June 2014. The Fianna Fáil-led Government signed up to 1 January of that year.

On the information deficit about which Deputies expressed concern, all of these issues will be dealt with transparently in the Oireachtas before charges commence.

On group water schemes, as I understand it there will be no change to existing arrangements between group water schemes and local authorities. Next Wednesday, I will address the National Group Water Scheme conference, at which time I will discuss that issue.

I believe I have dealt with most of the issues raised by Deputies. It is important we get across the message to people that water is a scarce resource. We must continue to ensure the quality of our water. In terms of water quality, 99% of our water is as good as the best in the world. However, there are significant issues we need to address, including the impact of climate change and how we propose to remediate that impact and how we propose to address the potential water shortage in the Greater Dublin Area from 2020 onwards.

While we have an abundance of water in Ireland, in terms of rainfall, it does not always fall in the right places. People need to understand that while water falls freely from the sky prior to use it must be treated, stored and pumped. We need to secure efficiencies in terms of water wastage. We cannot as an economy afford to spend €1.2 billion on water treatment and infrastructure while 42% of it never gets to the tap of any home. We will also need to educate and inform people about this issue. Irish Water will engage proactively with the public in terms of empowering people to understand how they can reduce their consumption of water. I met recently with members of a group water scheme, which was an amalgamation of three group water schemes, which has reduced its pre-metering water consumption by 60%. In this regard, they have involved everybody in the community, including young people. Every national school student has a card which identifies him or her as a water deputy. They see it as their social responsibility to assist their community, which is a rural community, in the protection of its water supply.

The Green Flag scheme run by An Taisce is important and worthwhile. The water complement of that scheme is also important. It is important we get the message across to everybody that water is such an important but scarce commodity we must conserve it. We need the help of everybody in the country to do so, which will require that we educate people and ensure transparency in this regard in our politics. This is what this legislation is about.

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