Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It would be great if the Bill gave some indication as to what the situation would be for those to whom Deputy Buttimer referred, but there is no such provision. It is an interim Bill that sets up Irish Water and allows for metering to commence. The Government, in its wisdom, has stated that, in the absence of all of the information that it sought when the scheme was announced in the first instance, it would plough ahead in the dark and expect us to follow it. This will not be the case.

If nothing else, we have reaffirmed in this debate that poverty proofing is still ongoing. By association with this fact, we have established that the concept of a free allowance has not been set out in any shape or form. We have also established that, in light of the audit and the necessary rectification, the exact costs associated with making the network fit for purpose are not known. As the Minister of State mentioned, there is a 40% leakage rate.

See this speech in context