John Dardis (Progressive Democrats)

If some 40% of water is being lost through the system, it is apparent that many people do not give a damn. That is why I favour metering of water. I accept what the Minister said about charging, but there must be a track on where water is being lost. This relates to a point Senator O'Toole made about a local businessman. I had a similar experience with a local businessman who could not understand the quantity of water that was being lost, but it was due to it being siphoned off. We need to know where the abuses lie in the system. I am pleased the Bill will give people power to inspect pipes and to check that systems are being properly managed. The reason I am in favour of metering is that it will enable us to find where the problems lie.

It was suggested that most of the water is lost in the Dublin network before it reaches the domestic pipe or tap. Nevertheless, it would help to know the answers to——