Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It has happened in the United Kingdom, in some cases with disastrous consequences, but that is further down the road.

My main concern is to ensure fairness and equity are built into the system, particularly in the interests of those who are most vulnerable. This requirement has already been established on both sides of the House. The Minister of State is operating in an environment in which people are totally unused to paying for water. A massive cultural change will take place when the people are asked to pay water charges for the first time ever. There is a large rural population outside the major cities. For such people, paying for water used to be the last thing on their minds. I cannot help reflecting on a comment made some time ago. I used to follow the mantra that water was a finite resource until a scientist pointed out that this country's rainfall levels meant it was not a finite resource. There is water in abundance at all times of the year. I am not sure Senator Michael Comiskey will agree with my view that farmers will start to increase their use of rainwater. The accumulation of rainwater, in order to cut down on paid usage, will be in vogue.