James Bannon (Fine Gael)

Will licences be renewed on an annual basis? Licences are all about privatisation of services. With its new motto, the Government is privatising several services, as well as the water services. The Government copies policies from the current and past British Governments. What people want is a proper water service. The current service is fairly good but there is a need to improve sewerage systems throughout the country. The Minister of State might indicate if there will be a cost involved in the licensing operation of the water services. People would like to know if another stealth tax is to be introduced by the Minister and the wool pulled over their eyes for the umpteenth time. I have lost track of the number of broken promises and stealth taxes introduced by the Government.