Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)

We heard this morning the opinions of Government Senators about the effects on farmers of the proposed water charges in local authority areas throughout the country. Previous speakers failed to recognise that the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has imposed cutbacks on local authorities, as can be clearly seen from the recent Estimates. As a result of those cutbacks, the only option open to county managers is to increase revenue locally. That can be done only by increasing rates or water charges. It is hypocritical of those who have spoken this morning to say county managers are responsible.