Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)

It would be appropriate to invite the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, to have a full debate on the whole water issue. As previous speakers have said, it is such a vital national resource that it needs plenty of debate and discussion. Many Senators would like to have an input and give information to the Minister on the possible structuring of the charges.

As we all know the farming community and business community are already paying for water as are people in rural areas who are in group water schemes. There is an inequity that people living in towns and cities are not charged for water. We now need to ensure that this valuable resource is available for business and for job creation into the future. It is incumbent on us to ensure that the cost of it is shared equitably throughout the community. I hope we can keep the charges lower than what Senator Cullinane's party is charging people in the North of Ireland.