Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Workers and Unemployed Action Group) | Oireachtas source

What the Taoiseach promised last week is very clear and on the record of the House. I remind him of his statement that the Government would, in the next couple of weeks, have "the extent of the charges that will apply, the follow through on the use of an allowance of water and the charge thereafter". He is not fooling anybody. Is it not time to stop ducking and diving, come clean and explain in plain language to the public the details of the charges? Will a family be charged for water if a boil water notice is in place and the water supplied to it is not fit for purpose? Will a family which is being supplied with hard water that is damaging electrical kettles, dishwashers, showers and washing machines be charged for water? Will large families be provided with a larger free allowance? Will people who have medical conditions which require the use of additional water receive an additional free allowance?

It is clear from the Taoiseach's reply that he and his Government are making a deliberate attempt to confuse the public and hide the details of the charges from them until after the local and European elections. It is the Taoiseach's responsibility, particularly in view of the confusion that arose at yesterday's meeting of the joint committee, to clear up this issue and inform the House of the exact position regarding water charges.

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