Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I support the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and I await him coming before Cabinet with his proposals to ensure there is fairness and equality of treatment here and compliance in respect of the modest contribution that is required for water. Obviously, we will consider and decide on the proposals the Minister will bring to Cabinet. I support him in what he is trying to do to provide a proper high quality water supply for businesses and consumers alike and to provide our country with an investment capacity to deal with the grossly inferior sewerage systems that apply in many parts of the country.

In respect of meetings that have taken place, let me assure the Deputy that the independent regulatory authority has signed off on elements of this in terms of the set up costs for Irish Water. The Cabinet approved all the major decisions in respect of Irish Water and the Minister has already answered many questions on that.

As I said to the Deputy, the position is that 1.23 million have signed up and I hope many more will. About 250,000 of those are not directly customers of Irish Water but they will have the opportunity to claim the assistance support from the Department of Social Protection and, as in any other scheme, equality and fairness is very important here.

As the Deputy is well aware, a few months ago he was very much in support of making his payments because he realised the importance of good, clean water but he listened to the populist drum and changed his tack.

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