Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

As far as agriculture is concerned, Senator Bannon is quite right. Agriculture is non-domestic and users pay a water charge. There is no demand by the rural water section of my Department, and no instruction has gone out, to ensure that group water schemes or the individuals in such schemes are metered. I am quite definite about that.

I cannot accept this amendment. It has as its basis the misconception that the Bill provides for or facilitates the introduction of domestic water charges. I can only reiterate that it does not. Such a provision is not considered appropriate. It is not necessary to reiterate the Government's water pricing policy, which is based on an equitable share of the cost of water servicing being borne by non-domestic users, subject to there being no cross-subsidisation by that sector on domestic users. I regret I am unable to accept the amendment.