Eamonn Maloney (Dublin South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I have learned one thing in this House in the introduction of any new charge, levy or tax, that is, it is always an issue of great contention. By people's nature, especially in a recession, it is difficult for them to invite it into their day-to-day living, especially for those who do not have the greatest of resources. People have a natural suspicion of any additional charge or tax. Others have alluded to this, but given the importance of a water supply, the issue should have been dealt with in better times. Like others on all sides of the House, I acknowledge this fact, but the reality is that it was not done.

As a member of a local authority in Dublin, I quickly came to the conclusion that the idea of having different local authorities providing water would not work. From my experience and speaking to people who worked in local authorities, I came to believe it was never the ideal solution in providing for all citizens of the State a proper drinking water system. I may be wrong about this, but, whatever its shortcomings, in principle, I agree with the idea of having a water authority because all citizens should have access to a proper drinking water supply.

There is more to the question than the simple matter of introducing a levy and charging people for water because it is so basic in our day-to-day living. It is a great resource, one many people on other continents cannot avail of and which costs them their lives. I am probably as guilty as anyone else in this regard, but perhaps traditionally we have taken it for granted that the rain falls from the sky into pipes and that when we turn on the tap, it flows, but that is not how it works. Turning rainwater into drinking water is an expensive process. Until recently, apart from the Brits, we were probably the only people who actually washed cars and pavements with drinking water. We buy high pressure hose appliances which can be seen in neighbourhoods and people wash their windows with drinking water. It is absolutely daft. If we are to find another way of managing the issues of a charge, conservation and the importance of water, some of the European models are the best ones to examine because the emphasis is placed on those who waste drinking water. They are the ones who pay for it and that is the view to which I subscribe.

I look forward to the Minister's water conservation plan because it is a strong element in how the public will view this measure. There will be teething problems. People have made arguments, some of them valid, although I do not agree with all of them, to the effect that we could set up a utility such as Irish water without spending money and that we know all about having a central authority for processing rainwater into drinking water. However, we do not because it has never been done before in the history of the State. This is the first time it is being done. There are problems with it and there will be problems as it moves along, but it is for people like us to tweak it and get the message across that wasting water is almost anti-social.

Since the system has been neglected for so long, we find ourselves in this awful position. Some will argue, probably rightly, that not enough money has been allocated following the Minister's announcement on repairing existing schemes, given the associated shortfall and the question of aged water systems. However, I welcome this measure and it must be taken. It will not solve all of the problems, but, as was said at the beginning of the programme, it is a matter of rolling it out properly for all citizens of the State.

I have never agreed with having a standing charge. There are a few exceptions, but I would seldom agree with having a standing charge because such a charge allows those who are better off to pay, while those who are not are put under stress. I welcome the change and the introduction of the associated allowances. We have some way to go, but I look forward to the Minister's water conservation plan.

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