Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

I do not know where equality or fairness comes into that charge. That will not be the case with water charges by metering or the household charge to be introduced in lieu of the property tax agreed in the same EU-IMF programme. The programme for Government agreed between Fine Gael and the Labour Party provides for progressive and considered structural reforms of the water services sector in Ireland and these reforms are important elements of the Government's strategy for restructuring the semi-State sector under the NewERA policy. Our intention is to have a modern, adequately resourced water services sector which will manage and deliver critical infrastructure to support economic recovery and employment creation. The Government position is that water charges will be introduced but only by metering. There will be no flat-rate water charge.