Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Future generations will not thank us if we do not invest in this critical national public infrastructure. The Bill is about introducing a fair and affordable system of domestic water charges. We want to ensure we will be able to invest in water and wastewater infrastructure, as happens in every other country in the OECD and most other countries in the developed world. It is about financing a national utility adequately in order that it can deliver services and maintain the national network. It is also about safeguarding our future.

The Government has acted to ensure water charges will be affordable and clear for all households. Irish Water will make a distinction between those who want to pay but cannot and those who refuse to pay. Those who want to pay but are in financial difficulty will be able to avail of easy-pay options and instalment plans, just like in the case of any other utility. The Bill also provides reassurance on issues of genuine public concern such as the governance of Irish Water and the use of PPS numbers. These issues have been addressed.

Concerns were also expressed about the need for enhanced customer protection. The public water forum will ensure the voices of Irish Water's customers are listened to, while the customer dispute resolution service, to be provided by the Commission for Energy Regulation, will provide customers with the same access to resolution of unresolved complaints as the current arrangement for energy customers. Customers of Irish Water will have the same access to a customer charter, which is the correct and independent way to ensure proper oversight of the service provided for customers.

Implementation of domestic water charges will help Irish Water to continue its work on addressing the deficiencies which are so evident in our water and wastewater systems. Charges will allow the utility, in collaboration with the local authorities, to build upon the progress it has made already in changing how services are delivered, how infrastructure is planned, and how the network is managed. It will help it to increase investment in infrastructure, moving to the doubling of annual investment that is needed, in a strong economic and environmental regulatory framework operated by the Commission for Energy Regulation and the Environmental Protection Agency.

The Bill supports a reform programme that will help ensure our families, businesses and farms have reliable public water supplies and adequate wastewater treatment to protect our rivers, lakes and seas. This is a long-term measure, aimed at protecting this generation and future generations. I commend the Bill to the House.

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