Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

On the approved water charges plan, the Minister of State very eloquently states in respect of amendment No. 12 that nothing will be hidden from anybody and that the process will be transparent. The same issue arises in this amendment. What is the approved water charges plan? We do not know how much water will cost or the amount of the free allowance that will be granted. I am not trying to make a wrong analogy, but a used car salesman has to tell his customers how much he is charging. The Government has been far too coy. It is time to put the numbers on the table in order that we can approve the water charges plan. In 2010 there were discussions with the Siemens company on its offer to install meters for nothing. More than three years later the dance of the seven veils has gone on for long enough. There is too much concealment and hugger mugger. Put the numbers on the table and let the people make their decision.