Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is not good for Deputy Paul Murphy or anybody else here to express a view that would put people in a position where they would build up a debt for the future. The Government has listened carefully to what the people have said and introduced a level of charge for water that it believes is fair and affordable. It is not good to tell people to put this off and build up a debt as a consequence. There is a need for fairness in this issue, of which the Deputy does not seem to be aware. The majority of people who have signed up as customers of Irish Water and will continue to sign up want to know that their neighbours, including the Deputy, will make their contribution to the cost of production of quality Irish water in the coming years. The Deputy's questions about courts and other matters will be dealt with in the Bill that will be produced by the Government following its decision on the Minister's propositions. There is a need for compliance and people to understand there will be equality in regard to compliance and that everybody who can pay should and will pay.

The Bill will be before the House within weeks and people will have an opportunity to discuss and debate it. We have gone beyond ignoring the issue. The country must deal with it and I am heartened by the continuing strong support through registration and people signing up to receive what they know is a precious commodity which we must be able to supply to every citizen, not just those in particular locations. The Bill will be introduced in a few weeks time.

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