Pat O'Neill (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Ó Domhnaill stated that he is opposed to water metering. Ireland is now the only country in Europe that does not charge for water, which I am sure amazes people in Europe. As stated by Senator Whelan, the people who attended the conference mentioned were amazed to hear that we often have to ration water or issue notices to boil water.

The document from which Senator Ó Domhnaill read a great deal also states that the renewed programme for Government issued by the previous Government, of which Senator Ó Domhnaill's party was part, in October 2009 committed that Administration to introducing charges for treated water use based on a system whereby households would be allocated a free basic allowance and charged only for water use in excess of this allowance. In other words, when Fianna Fáil was in government it favoured the introduction of water charges. It has since done a U-turn on this issue and the introduction of a property tax, the introduction of which it favoured when in government.

Currently our water services are administered by 34 local authorities. It is important that Irish Water take charge of this responsibility. Operation of our water services is costing us €1.2 billion per annum, €715 million of which goes on operational costs and €500 million of which goes on capital costs. The proposed water charges will yield only €200 million, which leaves a shortfall of €1 billion. The Government must in terms of water charges take in at least €500 million. As pointed out by everybody who contributed to this debate thus far, our infrastructure is way out of date. Our pipes were installed during the 19th century. Many are now leaking. In some counties, including Kilkenny, water wastage is approximately 50%. It is important we invest in this infrastructure. However, the Government cannot do so unless it takes in the necessary money. Water is a commodity we cannot do without. Many people purchase bottled water in public houses and supermarkets. The quality of the water coming out of the taps in most areas in this country is of better quality than that bottled water.

I welcome that under section 16(8), Irish Water will not be permitted to disconnect water supplies. As I said earlier, water is an essential commodity. Section 17(10) provides that for the purposes of calculating a charge under section 16, the amount of wastewater discharged from a premises is deemed to be equal to the amount of water supplied to that premises unless Irish Water and the customer agree otherwise. It is ridiculous that we are using treated water in toilet facilities, washing machines and so on. I hope that the Government will introduce a grant system in respect of rain water harvesting and so on. This would result in a reduction in the amount of treated water being used in toilet facilities and so on. I would prefer if households were not expected to pay for wastewater treatment. Currently, a double charge is imposed on businesses in respect of water-in and water-out. I do not believe the Government should consider the introduction of water-out charges for people whose water comes from a main sewerage system.

It is important we put in place a centralised system. As has been pointed out, since the introduction of metering, water usage in the UK has decreased by 15%. People respect what they have to pay for. The problem here is that we have become a country of entitlement, with everybody thinking they are entitled to everything free of charge. We have now had our hand forced by the troika in terms of the introduction of a property tax and water charges. It is important people pay for services provided. Reference was made earlier to the water charges in Kildare being €1.70 per cu. m. and in Wicklow being €3.04 per cu. m. Will an average price apply across the country? It is important for business sake that charges are equalised. Businesses will not want to locate in areas where water charges are high.

If leaks are addressed and better efficiencies are achieved, the cost to the consumer will reduce further. If everybody is paying, businesses may not have to pay as much. It is important to support businesses and jobs. Without a proper water system we will not be successful in attracting companies and thus jobs into this country. I will give an example. A few years ago Kilkenny County Council, with the assistance of the IDA, sank major wells of clean water near Belview Port, which currently supplies some parts of the city of Kilkenny with water and will in the future supply the new Glanbia plant being constructed in Belview. This is one of the biggest investments ever made by an Irish company in this country. The availability of a clean supply of water enabled the construction by Glanbia of its major milk processing plant on the Waterford border. Investments can only be achieved if we are realistic.

I support the passage of this Bill through the Houses. As I said earlier, everybody should pay for essential services such as water.