Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I very much welcome the Bill. I fully accept the principle that the polluter should pay. The timing and introduction of the Bill is difficult considering the economic circumstances and the financial hardship families are experiencing, with budgets being tight and so on. Price control and ensuring the consumer is not exploited through increased water charges in coming years are crucial. Regulation and maintaining prices at a low level for the consumer are important, as Deputy Martin Ferris said.

Ireland is the only OECD country not to charge for water. The introduction of water charges will change people's behaviour and ensure greater conservation of water. During periods of the year when rainfall is low, water conservation is important, particularly when demand increases because of warm and humid weather. Internationally, up to 15% less water is used when people are charged for the privilege of having a water supply. As an island nation, we are surrounded by water, but the treatment of water is the crucial issue. More than €1.2 billion is spent on treating water annually. We use the same water to wash our teeth, clean our cars and flush our toilets, which is all wrong from an environmental point of view. That behaviour will change in the future.

It is necessary to greatly improve the water infrastructure throughout the country but particularly in Dublin, as Deputy Kevin Humphreys said. The city has a leaky, Victorian era system and there has been under-investment in infrastructure for many years. With money being ring-fenced to address this issue, such investment will take place in the future. The population of Dublin is projected to increase by 1 million in the coming years and a proper water supply will be necessary to meet this demand.

I welcome the legislation. Consumers should not be charged if there is dirty water in their household supply and it is not drinkable That needs to be provided for in the legislation. I refer to what happened in Galway in the past. Providing for the polluter pays principle is welcome.

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