Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Certainty in pricing for four years and the extra measures that greatly restrict future Governments' handling of the utility and the pricing structure are welcome. The requirement for PPS numbers was something that raised concern, and that has now been dealt with. The public ownership issue has been dealt with: any future Government would have to hold a referendum or change legislation in a way that I do not see any Government doing. It will be the will of the people as to whom they elect here in future.

People have had various reasons for opposing water charges and protesting. There are some people on the other side of the House who represent people around the country, my own constituency included, who are fundamentally opposed to paying for water. I am not one of them. We need Irish Water and should have a water charging regime. As the economy improves, we will have measures to reduce our income tax and to make life easier for people as we get more of them back to work and the burden of unemployment is lifted. As the economy improves, we should still have a progressive tax system that includes property tax and water charges as its basis. I commend the motion to the House.

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