Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As Senator Healy Eames stated, this plan is going to the regulator. As I said on Second Stage, who regulates the regulator? Will Members have a say in amending the plan, or will the regulator have the final say, as he has with other utilities? We need to know how those who cannot pay their water charges will be treated, particularly at this point when we are dealing with the legislation. I am concerned that when we are finished with this legislation, down the road we will have no say on whether the regulator decides the charge will be €370 or €740.

I cannot see any sense in Senator Cullinane’s proposal. Is he talking about paying separately for bin collection, water and property charges? Does he want to do what they are doing in Northern Ireland - namely, paying £1,500 straight out their pockets, irrespective of whether they can pay? I do not want that system down here.