Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I share some of the Deputy's concerns. The idea of introducing a single water utility in the form of Irish Water was to drive the necessary investment in the water and wastewater infrastructure that had been lacking for many generations. Thankfully, the previous Fine Gael-Labour Government and the current Government of Fine Gael and Independents supported by Fianna Fáil and others have recognised the importance of having a single water utility to drive the agenda of continuing investment in key, necessary infrastructure in the right parts of the country. I am happy to say that this will continue, given that the single water utility is protected and, with the agreement of the House, will continue its work separately from the arguments around charges and so on.

Establishing a utility was also meant to ensure the capacity to raise money via charges and taxation and in the form of borrowings that would be repaid through general taxation and people's contributions towards the cost of water. The polluter pays principle drove that. Under it, those who used water excessively or wasted it would contribute towards its cost, and rightly so. I referred to this matter last night.

Our capital investment requirements reflect the amount of water that we need and consume. If we found ways to conserve water, reduce consumption and encourage people to respect water better, which is often helped by having a metering system of some sort as well as a charge for excessive use, it would drive down the capacity requirements. In many areas, 40% of water is lost to the system through leakage and, in some cases, wastage. If we had a proper regime in place that could monitor and measure that, we would be able to prevent it and, therefore, invest less money in the capacity generation of water and water treatment plants. Investment in wastewater treatment is essential, but the requirement for that would be lessened if we could reduce water wastage.

It is important that investment be protected. I share the Deputy's concerns about there being no mechanism to guarantee it, but this Government has committed to it and other Governments might follow suit. We must continue the investment.

See this speech in context