Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

There is genuine confusion among the public about the timing and content of the proposed legislation to deal with unpaid debt in so far as it relates to the issue of water charges and what happens to people who refuse to pay on principle or who simply cannot pay those charges. I ask the Taoiseach to be specific as to when that legislation will be introduced. This is not just a political point scoring matter. The Taoiseach owes it to the public to tell them when this legislation will be introduced in order to provide clarity on the matter. People are labouring under what I suspect is a deliberate misapprehension that Irish Water will be able to take unpaid charges out of people's salaries and social welfare payments. I understand, however, that the legislation will not provide powers to Irish Water to take any money out of anybody's pay cheque, social welfare payment or pension. It deals with the courts and unpaid debts in general. When will the legislation be introduced?

I understand that the harbour (amendment) Bill is due to be introduced this session. Can the Taoiseach be more specific about when it will be introduced? Serious issues arise in regard to the governance of our harbours, including Dún Laoghaire harbour, in respect of which there are widespread concerns about its governance and future. This Bill will have a serious impact on the decisions that need to be taken on the future of our harbours.

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