Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)

At a time when the Government is awash with money, I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on the underfunding of local authorities, particularly in the areas of water pricing and waste water management. Water pricing is leading to the privatisation of water throughout the country. Farmers and business people will not be able to pay for water. Something will have to be done because local authorities are using water to raise taxes by stealth. Local authorities are so underfunded that they have no choice but to increase water charges and this will cost businesses and farmers. At a time when the Government has taken in €10 billion, will the Leader arrange a debate as a matter of urgency? We are now trying to extract the last few euro from hard-pressed farmers and business people throughout the country.