Ivana Bacik (Independent)

I welcome the Minister of State. This is his first time here. I am glad to have an opportunity to speak to the motion and to follow my colleague, Senator Diarmuid Whelan, who led for the Labour Party. He gave a very clear account of the need for a metered system of water charging.

As the Minister, Deputy Hogan, said, it is somewhat ironic to be lectured by Fianna Fáil about water charges. The Minister has pointed out there is a certain collective amnesia being demonstrated by Fianna Fáil Senators in tabling their motion given the commitment to introduce domestic water charges was made by a Fianna Fáil-led Administration.