Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Here we are, once again discussing the matter of water charges. It could have been easily avoided but in 2010 Fianna Fáil had the great idea to sign this State up for water charges, even though it was well aware of the public outcry it would cause. Since then, Fine Gael has done Fianna Fáil's work for it. Unfortunately for them, the public could see what was going to happen from a mile away. If the Government had had its way, it would have resulted in huge bills for water charges and the privatisation of water services. Instead, the Government was met by tens of thousands of citizens on the streets and at the ballot box who made it clear that they were against water charges and metering and that they are against any attempt to privatise the water network.

I have some concerns about the wording of the Bill, especially on the calculation of excessive use and allowances. It seems that regardless of the recommendations of the commission, the Government may decide to lower the allowance and the threshold over time. In a few years, we could see water charges return by the back door. That is not good enough. So-called excessive use charges can also be increased over time. I note particularly that the Bill states that when the threshold amount is being recalculated, it cannot exceed 1.7, so the allowance is only going one way, which is down. This means that in five years, we will be back in this Chamber discussing why water charges have made a massive comeback. It is a loophole to allow the gradual introduction of water charges down the road. The people marched in their tens of thousands and made it clear they will not accept water charges. I had assumed that the Government and Fianna Fáil had got that message, but the people know they cannot be trusted on the issue of water charges.

We were also promised a referendum on retaining water services in public ownership. This Bill contains no provision of the sort.

Perhaps the Government wants to bring forward separate legislation, but in media reports over recent days Government representatives have been out playing down the need for a referendum. I do not think this is acceptable. I am getting the impression that the Government is intentionally dragging its feet on this matter. The referendum needs to happen. The right to water and the public ownership of our water network needs to be enshrined in the Constitution to ensure there is no way this State's water network system will be sold off to a private for profit operator.

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