Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

The Senator is right that there will be charges for sewerage services in future. However, I do not believe they will be at the level the Senator mentioned. Government policy is that people must make a contribution towards the services they use. I am not sure whether the Water Services Bill has completed its passage through this House. It has not reached the Dáil yet. Yesterday I mentioned that I am actively trying to have the Residential Tenancies Bill passed through the Dáil. However, there is a long waiting list to have various Bills taken in the Dáil where legislation seems to be gummed up.

In future people will have to pay. A review of local government funding is ongoing and all these matters must be considered. Given the investment of €5 billion over three years, we must get the message to the people and the best way is that the polluter pays and water is metered. The contributions to be made will be relatively small and will just represent one more bill that businesses and school boards of management will have to meet along with electricity, heating, insurance, etc. They will have to seek recompense for that from the Department of Education and Science. It would be much easier for Government to handle it in that way.

As schools and pupils are supposed to be more environmentally conscious, it is no harm for them to recognise that the polluter pays principle and concern for the environment do not relate only to the rain forests. It is relevant to everyday living. I presume boards of management will submit this as a legitimate cost to the Department of Education and Science while minimising the level of charge to be applied. I am sure they will seek assistance to meet it.