Tom Shehan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have a question along the same lines as Senator Wilson. What is the definition of the workings or functions of the authority? The Minister of State referred to 30% unpaid water rates in the current system. With all due respect, if 30% of ¤500 million in water charges is uncollected, the issue will have to be ironed out from the very start. The authority would be run to the ground very quickly if that was the case, and there should be a legal function so that this could not happen. Currently, if one is in arrears paying for water, the supply is cut, and it is somewhat archaic that local authorities are charging ¤1,100 to reconnect such supplies. That is not practical. If a person cannot pay water charges, how can he or she pay the reconnection charge of ¤1,100? Perhaps that should be tweaked by the new authority as well.