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

That is no problem. On 15 June, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, indicated that he would raise the option of installing block meters with his Department and Uisce Éireann and then make a statement on the matter. We are of the view that these meters present a more cost-effective option. When did the Minister raise the matter and what response did he receive? Would it be possible for copies of the response to be circulated to Members? This is a critical issue for members of the public who are going to be asked to pay for metering and water. Public money is being used for the project and district metering costs between €4 and €8 per house. That is significantly cheaper than other options. In the interests of transparency, will the Minister of State provide copies of the questions posed by the Minister and also copies of the responses he received.

Question No. 59 relates to the involvement of public representatives on the board of Uisce Éireann and the Minister of State did not provide a reply in respect of it. How many public representatives - councillors, etc. - will be on the board of the company? Will the Minister of State indicate where democratic accountability on this matter will lie in the future? For example, a year from now whom should I, as Sinn Féin spokesperson on the environment, community and local government, and my counterparts in Fianna Fáil and the other parties and local authorities, contact if we have queries? What will be the line of communication in this regard and from whom will we be able to obtain answers.

In Question No. 88 we asked for a detailed breakdown, on a local authority by local authority basis, of the cost of the installation of domestic water meters. We need to be informed as to what is going to be the position in this regard. Taxpayers in counties Laois, Offaly and Louth have a right to know how much they are going to be obliged to pay in respect of the installation of water meters.

In Question No. 93 we inquired whether the forthcoming water services Bill will allow for the transfer of assets, including sales, to Uisce Éireann. Will section 183 bans, passed by local councillors, be required in order to transfer the assets? There are some absolutely huge assets involved here - some of which are owned by local authorities and others of which came into their possession through group water schemes - and they are going to be transferred to Uisce Éireann. It is going to operate under the umbrella of a semi-State company, Bord Gáis, parts of which - according to its NewERA proposals - the Government is going to privatise.

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