Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would be interested to hear how Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett is going to solve the problems in his own area where thousands of houses appear to be connected to a water supply via lead piping. This is not satisfactory, which is why we need an entity that is able to borrow separately from the Government and invest to fix supplies for the future. The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government is dealing with the problem. He has not yet brought his propositions to the Government for consideration and decision, but he will do so shortly.

The Government will ensure that the legislation sets out the criteria for full compliance with the law in respect of the modest contribution that is involved of €1.15 or €3 per week depending on the number of persons in the household. That will come before Government in the near future and it will consider the propositions from the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and make its decision.

As the Deputy is aware, in cases where people genuinely have a real difficulty in paying, there are always opportunities to give assistance, as has applied to schemes over the years.

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