Catherine Noone (Fine Gael)

There is a perception in this country that because it rains so much we should not pay for water. Most of us here know it costs a fortune to treat water. The idea we should not pay for it is somewhat last century. I welcome the establishment of the water authority and that we will have water metering. I am perplexed by the Opposition. There are all sorts of rumours and leaks - pardon the pun - about this. Nothing has been decided on the charges with regard to water metering. It is being established. I ask the Opposition to bear with the Minister-----