Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I will deal with the amendments and then confirm the position regarding domestic water charges. The common thread running through these amendments is that they propose to introduce provisions relating to water charges in the Bill. This is not appropriate or necessary.

The Water Services Bill is designed primarily to regulate the delivery and supervision of water services and to enable operating standards to be set and public health and the environment to be protected. It deals with the nuts and bolts of water service delivery. Water charges, on the other hand, are an integral part of the local government financial matrix. They are inextricably linked to the broader issue of public financing. It makes more sense, therefore, to provide for them in financial provisions legislation.

The Local Government (Financial Provisions) Act 1997 precludes the charging of domestic users of water services. This is in line with Government policy and there is no intention to change it. This Bill is not a vehicle to introduce water charges by the front or back door or by any other means. The Government's position on water charges has not been changed by this Bill. The Bill makes no provision for water charges and the provisions of the Local Government (Financial Provisions) Act 1997 prohibiting charges for domestic water services continue to apply. There is no question of using devious means to introduce water charges by way of legislation. If water charges were to be introduced, and it is not our policy or intention to do so, it would be necessary to do so by way of primary legislation. I hope Senators accept that assurance.

The charging of commercial users of water services is already provided for under existing legislation. This Bill does not propose to amend that. The Minister went to great lengths during the debate on Second Stage to assure Members that the Bill would not change the current position on charging. All reference to charges were excluded from the Bill to provide additional assurance on this issue. In the circumstances, I am reluctant to accept an amendment which would alter this approach.