Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Government has given two directions. The regulator is to issue its definitive findings and charges in the next week or so. The Government has given two directions to the regulator, that the average meter charge should be €240 - it will be approximately €238 - and that children should be free. That is at a level of 21,000 l, based on surveys carried out by Irish Water and validated by the regulator. The question of boil-water is an issue of great concern to so many people; 18,000 people are currently on boil-water notices. As the Deputy is aware, between 40% and 50% of water leaks are under the ground. This is the situation that was allowed to continue for so many years and it will be of great consolation to the people of Roscommon when the four treatment works currently under way are completed and they will not have boil-water notices in future.

The legislation prepared by Deputy Cowen to which Deputy Martin referred is not acceptable to the Government because the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government considers that existing legislation allows for greater flexibility to deal with issues of contamination of water or if water is not drinkable for whatever reason. The regulator in its indicative document indicated that there would be concessions given in respect of where boil-water notices or contaminated water or water unfit of human consumption would be involved. The regulator will issue its definitive findings next week. Therefore, we do not accept the legislation prepared by Deputy Cowen.

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