David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Possibly, it is because he does not have the information himself. The first question I asked him is what people are likely to pay in water charges - that is, what are the likely water charges - and he has not given an answer. Members of neither this democratically elected Chamber nor the Dáil can tell people out in the communities what they will be paying. The Minister of State is asking Members to support this Bill without knowing precisely how the charge will be put in place or what people will pay. The Minister of State cannot even tell Members how much the Government intends to collect in water charges. He cannot even provide them with a figure in this regard. He has been asked several times, by Senators Barrett, Ó Domhnaill and Ó Clochartaigh and me, how much the Government intends to take in in water charges but he has not given an answer. As the Minister of State is not in a position to give an answer, how are Members supposed to support the Bill? The Minister of State spoke of openness, of working with him and of accountability. He wants Members to buy a pig in a poke and then tell people in the communities that while they supported the Bill, they have no idea whatsoever how it will affect people.