Paul Bradford (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate section 16 deals with the charges for water services. Like every service, water provision has always been paid for by somebody. It is not the case that water was provided free of charge for consumers. It was paid for in one shape or form through taxes. The Bill brings a new structure to paying for water. Senator David Cullinane has referred to the long list of charges which people are now paying, including property taxes and refuse charges. The only part of these islands with an even longer list of charges is Northern Ireland, where his colleagues are in government. No matter where one is or who is in government, services have to be paid for by somebody.