Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise a few points, specifically on section 3 which deals with the charges proposed. I agree with much of what Deputy Liam Twomey has said. I agree that there needs to be investment in water. I also agree that there needs to be an efficient utility in place to deliver the economies of scale that were promised before the last general election. However, there were two principles behind the original Bill which was introduced here and rammed through in less than a couple of hours on 18 December 2013.

A specific figure had to be raised as a result of the hole in our public finances and the requirements of the International Monetary Fund and other troika members. That figure was in the region of approximately €500 million. The second piece of logic that has been repeatedly put forward - it was again referenced by Deputy Twomey - relates to conservation. The sum of money that will now be delivered on an annual basis via this flat charge is in the region of €90 million, as noted by Deputy Mathews, so it is less than a fifth of what-----

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