Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

On amendment No. 132, section 68 enables a water services authority to provide pump-out facilities for boats, tour buses and caravans, to mention but a few. The provision is intended to facilitate the involvement of local authorities in the development of leisure and amenity facilities in their areas. The section is based on section 27(2) of the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act 1997 which is being repealed and consolidated into this Bill. The purpose of subsections (2) and (3) is to remove any impediment to charging for the use of facilities provided under this section arising from a general prohibition on charging for domestic water services, for example, in the case of a family on a touring holiday in a camper van claiming that they were entitled to free services to meet their domestic needs. In circumstances where a local authority goes to the trouble and expense of providing pump-out facilities for boats, camper vans or for the convenience of tourists and day trippers, it is only reasonable that it should be in a position to charge for their use.

Similar arrangements apply to the provision of other leisure facilities by local authorities, such as swimming pools, and are necessary to encourage and stimulate the development of tourism infrastructure.

For the avoidance of doubt, explicit provision is included in subsection (3) to the effect that, notwithstanding their use of temporary accommodation, a Traveller community household, as with any household in the wider community, is entitled to free water services provision for domestic purposes. This will ensure that the Traveller community continues to be treated in the same manner as the broader community for the purpose of the application of water charges.

In honesty, I do not believe Senator Bannon would want me to accept this amendment. The existing provision does not affect in any way the prohibition on charging for general domestic services and provides only for recovery of the cost of additional services provided to facilitate the pursuit of leisure interests. In the circumstances, I cannot accept the amendment.