John Dardis (Progressive Democrats)

I welcome an environmental aspect in the latter part of the Bill. It relates to the increase in penalties under the Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts of 1977 and 1990 and there is an increase in penalties under the Fisheries Acts. The penalty is €3,000 on summary conviction and up to €15 million on indictment. That is the way it should be because some people have a cavalier disregard for waterways, rivers and the sources of water which we need to use.

I am confused about a provision in section 72 which deals with metering. Section 72(1)(b) states that "subject to complying with the provisions of other enactments in relation to charging for water services, charge a rent or otherwise recover from a user the costs incurred by it in respect of every meter", etc. I assume that is the reference the Minister gave when he spoke about the Local Government (Financial Provisions) Act 1997, but I am unclear about it.