Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy would be the first on his feet saying that we cannot cut them off completely, nor is there any intention to do so. However, if we are to have a contribution from everybody, with assistance for those who are in particular need, the answer to the Deputy's question is that the penalty is reduced pressure.

Any review of the average metered charge is deferred until 2016. The Deputy said that this is running until after the next election. Yes, it is. Far be it from me to determine what the people will want to do with their votes in 2016, when they come to judge this Government on whether it has fulfilled its mandate of sorting out our public finances and getting our country working or not.

The question of a review will be dealt with by whatever Government is elected by the people after the general election in 2016. This Government has taken all of these things into account. As I said, it is the last major issue imposed on the people. It has been known to be coming for quite some time. In so doing, we have taken into account children, the elderly, the vulnerable, the disabled, the blind, those on boil water notices and those who receive benefits through the household package, and there is provision for those where exceptional hardship or exceptional circumstances arise. In that sense, not only will it deal with the inadequacy of the system at the moment, it will provide a platform of provision of high quality, high volume, pristine water for generations to come, which is what it is necessary to do. Governments in the past shirked their responsibility in facing up to that. This Government will not, and it has been as fair and as affordable to the people as possible.

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