Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

With regard to amendment No. 16, I seek clarification from the Minister. Am I correct in saying there is no provision in legislation for a refund or allowance for those on a boil water notice? Am I correct in stating this remains a policy matter and that it is at the discretion of the CER, the regulator? Would it not be more prudent and correct to insert the provision in legislation to offer a guarantee in all cases rather than have dispute resolution by the regulator?

Could the Minister clarify the policy direction given to the CER on the commercial sector when it finds itself subject to a boil water notice? Contrary to what Deputy Naughten said, is it not the case that the sector gets a reduction of only 40%, not 100%? The commercial sector should be treated the same as the residential sector, especially considering that those in the sector, including those in the licensed trade or service industries, are forced to provide water for their customers. There is a cost associated with providing this water. That they do not benefit from the same discount as residents beside them is not fair, right or proper.

Is the Minister happy that he is not providing in legislation definitive detail on the discounts that exist for residential users subject to boil water notices? Can he confirm that the reduction is 40%, rather than 100%, for the commercial sector? Can he confirm that there is no provision in that regard in this legislation to copper-fasten the case of those in the commercial sector?

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