Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Socialist Party) | Oireachtas source

I will repeat the two questions. Has the Cabinet discussed the payment levels of the water charges? It is a simple question and I would like the Taoiseach not to evade it. The Taoiseach told me more than two months ago to go to Irish Water, where we would get the information. He said, "I am sure Irish Water will be happy to supply the Deputy with the details of bills that have been issued and paid". More than two months later I am asking him, being, as Taoiseach, democratically accountable to this House, to provide this information.

It is a simple request and an important one in the context of the Civil Debt (Procedures) Bill, which has been exposed as nothing more than a Government scare tactic, being all bark with no bite. There will be no direct deductions from people's income for water charges. Two court cases will be necessary to get payment for water charges from people, the first of which cannot be taken until a bill of more than €500 has been racked up, meaning there will be no cases until the end of 2017. We need to have the figures so we can have a discussion on them. Will the Taoiseach answer the questions, given he is responsible to the Dáil?

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