Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for the comprehensive reply. As public representatives we must be included in the consultation process and lay people must also be included so their voices are heard. Most in this House will be able to afford the water charges better than many people. However, I am very conscious that households must be listened to, in particular those households with elderly people and young children.

Irish Water should take responsibility for setting up an education programme to encourage people not to waste water in the way that I have outlined and which has been the practice in this country for many years. Only now we are beginning to appreciate that water is a vital resource and to appreciate its importance for our health and well-being.

We should encourage water harvesting and the retention of water for secondary uses. Opportunities were missed during the Celtic tiger years when the planning guidelines should have included the provision that every house should have its own water harvesting mechanism. This missed opportunity is another lesson we have learned from the past. I have taken note of the Minister's reply and I hope to be able to contribute to the consultation process.

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