David Norris (Independent)

I thank Senator Barrett for sharing time. I welcome the Minister of State. I also welcome the Bill which has three main proposals, including the creation of a new utility. I hope there is no intention to sell it off down the road, similar to what happened in Britain. However, it is unlikely. I have no difficulty with a water charge. It is a question of the consumer paying, not the polluter, and it is interesting that, as the Minister of State pointed out, we are unique in Europe in not having such a charge. I have a small place up the mountains in a remote agricultural village in Cyprus. I have been metered since I bought the house ten years ago. I have no difficulty paying because I pay for what I use.

It is important that metering be installed. The process will take time and it will be costly but the State will recover the cost via the water charge. However, it must be ensured the meters are accessible, particularly for people such as me who live on their own. I am not often there when staff from the other utility companies such as the ESB or Bord Gais call and it is a complete nuisance to have to use estimates and so on. Can care be exercised in the placement of the meters in order that they can be visible without access to the house? They should be discreetly installed on a wall outside. I wonder whether it is possible to link them to a centralised computer in this era of technology in order that they can be read directly. The technology is available and it should be done now. Perhaps the Minister of State will explore that in order that there will be a centralised collection of information and if there is a need to check the meter, the householder can do so if it is accessible to ensure the bill is accurate.

I have always found it astonishing that in a climate such as this, we suffer from water shortages because we are regularly drenched with rain. We are lucky to live in such a temperate climate and there is no excuse for such shortages. The leakage rate was referred to by Senator Barrett and I raised this on a number of occasions during previous Seanaid. The lowest rate is 17% but one local authority has a leakage rate of 50%. That is because the infrastructure has not been renewed and I hope the new central authority will look after that.

I agree with Senator Landy regarding the changeover of staff. Local authorities have expertise and he spoke effectively about the way the engineer gets in touch with local representatives. That is a good indicator of a community service that looks after the community. I hope a scenario will not develop where moving money will be paid where staff continue to do the same work but the unions negotiate disturbance money or a promotion. I am a good union man but that would be counterproductive.