Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not share the Deputy's view at all. It is clear in the legislation that this entity cannot be privatised and the Deputy should not go around scaremongering that this is an attempt or the beginning of a process to privatise Uisce Éireann. It is beneath him to say that, given he can read the language clearly in the legislation.

Clearly, the concern about payment is a legitimate concern for everyone and there is a degree of confusion because of the scale of the assistance that is being provided through the tax credit system, the household package and other elements of the social protection system. I remind the Deputy that what we want to do is ensure every household in the country is given a free allowance through the provision of almost €600 million of a subsidy from the Government to Irish Water. This was one of the pillars of direction given by the Government to the regulator that children should be free and there should be an average meter charge of €240 per annum or an assessed charge for two plus two of €278.

The Deputy will be aware that the regulator has indicated that the assessed charge will continue for nine months from the date of billing next year. That means, for instance, if people use more water than that to which the €278 charge applies and their bill is less than that, they will pay the lesser amount. There is an incentive not only to register to avail of the household charge but also to conserve water. That is an essential part of why Irish Water was set up in the first place. We need to invest off balance sheet to provide quality treatment works and quality infrastructure in order that people can have high quality drinking water and ensure water is available for business and consumers alike.

The matter of people ringing Irish Water or councils and not getting an answer is being considered and dealt with by Irish Water and Ervia. No more than other entities in the past, for example, SUSI and the issue relating to higher education grants and other issues of great concern to people, once they are dealt with and people have answers to their questions, things can calm down.

This is very important for the future of the people and the economy. We have not measured up for the past 40 or 50 years and it is time to deal with it.

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