Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to contribute briefly to this important debate. When the legislation to establish Irish Water was brought before this House the amount of time allowed to debate it was truncated. The Private Members' motion provides Members on this side of the House with an opportunity to have an input into what is a fairly complex issue. There is nothing straightforward about introducing water charges given the range of needs and disparities in the population.

Consider, for instance, the issues of illness in a house, the number of adults in a house and the number of children. Those with distressed mortgages will have to pay water bills annually. It is important that we have an opportunity to tease out the provisions in the regulations catering for these categories.

Having spent some of my earlier political years helping to organise group water schemes in rural communities in my constituency and neighbouring constituencies, I realise the sorts of challenges that arise. In many instances in rural communities, people did not have access to public water and were depending on wells. In some cases, the water was polluted from some of the range of sources of pollution that featured in rural areas. On a practical level, I am reasonably familiar with the problems that exist.

There is one aspect of this debate that has been subject to quite limited focus. One should bear in mind the difference between the volume of domestic water used for consumption, as in water for drinking and making tea, and that used for sanitation, including showers and baths. I do not have the relevant statistics available but suspect the volume that could be sourced from rainwater is quite significant, both for individuals and communities. Giving a credit to households that are prepared to install water harvesting facilities should be considered. The facilities are on the market. They are relatively expensive and I suppose the economics are fairly marginal. However, considering our annual level of rainfall, I believe harnessing rainwater for showers, baths and toilets would be a very practical move on the part of the Minister and Minister of State.

If one calculated the huge volume of water used annually in all schools, from primary to third level, in my constituency, Louth, one would realise it is very significant. Will the planning regulations be adjusted to oblige designers of new schools to ensure water harvesting facilities are provided? The retrospective installation of water harvesting facilities would be very much worthwhile. When adjudicating in annual tidy towns competitions, should additional brownie points not be awarded to local committees that systematically encourage owners of community buildings and schools to install water harvesting facilities? If it is possible to organise water harvesting on a communal basis in estates with 20 to 40 houses, credits could be given to individual householders who participate in the scheme for a period of three to five years. Given that there is leakage of 40% in the water supply system, it would be worth considering my proposal.

Consider the exemption thresholds, including those that might apply where there is sickness in a household. Will there be flexibility for those with distressed mortgages? This seems an obvious question to ask.

Standing charges will not be part of the new provisions. We already have standard charges for commercial and agricultural users. Do they fall under the new regulations, or are they to be taken out of the system? I refer to individual farmers using water for dairying and stock and to commercial businesses. They are paying water charges and a standing charge. What will happen in their circumstances?

Deputy Michael McGrath referred last night to water of poor quality. This kind of water registers on the meter. How will it be catered for in the new system? These are the unanswered questions that underline the importance of having this debate.

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