Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is necessary to change the process that was put in place here many years ago because it is not satisfactory and it caused this difficulty. No appeals system was built into it when it was brought forward by Deputy Ó Fearghaíl's party many years ago. It needs to be changed and will be changed.

It is necessary for personal public service numbers to be available to Irish Water so that it can tell how many children are in families on the basis of the amount of child benefit they are receiving, as is their right. It needs this information so it can ensure families get their proper services and the proper amount of water to which they are entitled.

Clearly, the principle that has been established with regard to the property tax is that no local authority will be worse off. Provision has been made for 80% of the receipts to be retained within the local authority area. Some other elements of this matter still have to be decided on by the Government. Counties that have a surplus will be entitled to legislation for a reduction if they wish to do so. There is some work going on around that remaining element of the decision here.

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