Paul Bradford (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The amendments deal with the charges. I accept that there will be a charge. Charges have always been paid in one form or another. We need to ensure that the price set for the charge that consumers will have to pay will be fair and reasonable and that the current faults within the system, which are producing such waste and loss of revenue and income, are tackled and that we have a top-class service. All of us appreciate that water is a key component of our economic activity. It must be provided for and it certainly must not be squandered. We need to ensure that there is a proper balance between the charge and the service, that value for money is provided and that wastage of water, and therefore wastage of money, is extinguished to the maximum extent possible.