Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

It is welcome that Deputy Catherine Murphy agrees that metering water is the way to proceed.  It is a way of ensuring water is conserved and it provides a means by which people can reduce their water bills.  Many of the issues the Deputy raised are being considered by the Government.  In regard to families, I agree that there is a difference between using water to wash the car and using it to wash the children.  This should be reflected in the regime which is put in place.  We need certainty, in so far as we can have it, about the years ahead.  I have heard suggestions the water charges will be a certain amount this year and that they will be double or triple that amount next year or the following year.  Families should not be put in such a position.

See this speech in context