Seanad debates

Wednesday, 23 November 2011

Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed)

 

10:00 pm

Photo of Brian Ó DomhnaillBrian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)

Labharfaidh mé a Chathaoirligh. Is mian liom tagairt a dhéanamh don leasú atá istigh againn don Bhille i dtaobh an táille chlárúcháin de €500 atá molta sa Bhille. Ní féidir leis na daoine an táille sin a íoc. Níl an t-airgead ag na daoine chun an táille sin a íoc. Cén fáth an mbeadh táille chlárúcháin ag teacht isteach do ghrúpa amháin a chónaíonn sa Stát go bhfuil dabhach shéarachais acu nuair atá daoine eile ina cónaí sa Stát atá ceangailte le scéim shéarachais atá díolta fá na gcoinne amach as póca an cháiníocóra? Cén fáth go bhfuil grúpa amháin sa tír ag fáil an cúiteamh sin ón Stát agus go gcaithfidh na daoine atá ina gcónaí i gceantracha tuaithe, áiteanna nach bfhuil an infrastruchtúr iontu chomh maith agus a bheadh sna cathracha agus sna bailte móra, an táille chlárúcháin a íoc?

In real terms the registration fee is very discriminatory in nature. It is unfair to the people who are being asked to pay it. In urban areas, there is a pumped sewage scheme and there is no necessity for a registration process or a registration fee. We have no objection to the registration process but we have a fundamental objection to the registration fee, which at €50 per house would yield almost €24 million to the Exchequer. It is said that the Bill is revenue neutral, but I am not sure that is the case because inspectors must be paid and I do not know who will pay them if the Bill is revenue neutral. The registration change of €50.

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