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

The Minister of State referred in his response to the commitment given by the previous Government to the troika that water charges would be introduced in 2014. The local elections will be held in the first week of June 2014. Can the Minister of State confirm if people are to be billed for water from 1 January 2014? The question of when water charges will be introduced has been asked a number of times, in respect of which the response has been that they will apply from 2014. The Minister of State appeared to be alluding today to their being introduced on 1 January 2014. Perhaps he would confirm if that is the case.

The issue of the cost of establishing the water services company and the cost of water to each household has not been addressed. There will be a direct correlation between both issues. The new company will be a stand-alone company that will have to wash its own face and pay its way. That is what we have been told. The current cost of water provision is €300 million per annum. The Minister of State said in his response that in future €600 million per annum will be required.

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