David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We have learned that at least. The Minister of State gave a figure of €1.2 billion. He has said €200 million comes from commercial rates, which is fair enough; the remainder is €1 billion, as if there is a shortfall, and the money does not come from anywhere. However, it does come from somewhere. It comes from what people pay in taxation, which was always the case; therefore, it is not fair to say people do not pay water charges. The Minister of State did not answer the fundamental question I put to him on the logic of paying a property tax. Reference has been made to the North, for example, where we have a rate.