Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

One has to ask if this Government will ever listen to the will of the people. Here we go again. The Government is so determined and desperate, as is Fianna Fáil, to introduce water charges through the back door that we now have this legislation that is not only not credible but deliberately leaves the option of extending and increasing charges for any future Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael Government.

I want to address the excess water usage myth or claim. No evidence exists that we have any deliberate domestic water wastage in this State. Irish Water's own data show that household water consumption in this State is one of the lowest rates in the OECD. Irish families use, on average, 123 litres per person per day, which is much lower than people living in England, Sweden or Italy.

How does the Government plan to measure excess usage if 42% of households do not have a meter? That is not outlined in the Bill. Does it plan to charge one household for excess usage and not its neighbour? How will that work?

The Minister states that there is an allowance for households of five people or more. Does that mean that a person living alone will be able to use the same amount of water as a family of four? That is not explained either.

We all know that 40% of treated water is wasted as a result of leaking pipes in the public system. Given that 42% of households do not have meters, how will the Minister determine whether there is excessive water usage by a household or whether water is leaking from a pipe in the public system unless, of course, the he is allowing for a future Government to extend the roll-out of domestic water meters for the remainder of the households? Everybody knows that is the plan. The Government just does not have the backbone to say it. The Government thinks it will con people all over again.

That is exactly what the Government wanted and it is what Fianna Fáil wanted. All that stopped them was people power. People power ground them to a halt. It is as if they have learned no lessons from that. This Bill is another pathetic attempt on the part of the Government and Fianna Fáil, and their wishy-washy way around it, to reintroduce charges after their previous attempt failed dismally and the Right2Water movement brought it down.

My party and I will have no hand, act or part in supporting this Bill. The Government should start to acknowledge the will of the people.

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