Michael McNamara (Clare, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I started my contribution by saying that we are not any better or worse than future generations. I am not claiming credit; I am pointing out what is happening. As to the degree of ping pong, we are all actors on a stage, or so it seems sometimes here.

Many positive measures were introduced yesterday. Up to now I have heard many people say that water is provided from general taxation and ask why there should be a charge. It is not accurate to say that water has been provided from general taxation up to now. It has been provided to some from general taxation. People's means, or ability to pay, did not determine who received water; rather, it was based on where people happened to live. There were three means of providing water in Ireland: the mains supply in towns and cities, group water schemes in outlying areas of towns and cities, and wells. Everybody, whether they received their water through a well, a group water scheme or a mains supply, paid the same level of taxation. At least now the provision of all water services will receive a subvention from general taxation.

Everything is not equal, because Irish Water will continue to receive a large subvention from the State for the immediate future. How long that continues will be determined largely by the make-up of the next Oireachtas, the one after that and so on. Group water schemes receive subventions from public taxation but wells do not. Deputy Kelleher outlined the fact he has a well and does not need the money. I also come from a farm and I know many farms have wells. Not everybody who has a well does not need the money. Many people with wells can barely afford to keep-----

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