David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 29:

In page 12, to delete lines 5 to 7.

This is one of the few amendments in respect of the water charges section that was not ruled out of order. It seeks to remove completely the definition in this part of the Bill that deals with an approved water charges plan. Essentially, this is Sinn Féin's way of opposing water charges and their introduction again. There have been lengthy debates on this issue and Members were reminded this morning by the Leader that approximately 16 hours were spent discussing the Water Services (No. 2) Bill. However,16 hours later they still do not know how much water charges will cost householders. I genuinely believe that were the Minister of State, the Government parties and the Labour Party representatives in opposition, were this Bill being brought forward by the previous Government and were they asked to sign up to a Bill that includes water charges without knowing how those charges would be calculated or what they would mean for households, I have no doubt but that they would oppose the Bill on the same grounds as does Sinn Féin.

It is simply not a good way in which to deal with legislation. In some respects, it is akin to a car salesman asking people to buy a car by telling them it looks great, has low mileage and will come with a free service - in that the first leak will be repaired - but the prospective purchaser cannot be told how much the car will cost. As I do not believe anyone would buy a car if they had no idea how much it would cost, why should Members support the Bill if they have no idea how much it will cost people? Members could be here for another 16 hours or even 60 days and the Minister of State still would not tell them how much it will cost householders. Either he is not in a position to tell Members or he simply does not know. Moreover, it is unacceptable that the Minister of State would pass the buck and the responsibility for the setting of water charges to the commission. This will create problems in the future and to stick with the car sales analogy, this comes straight from the Arthur Daley school of economics by not telling Members how this will affect people. It is completely unacceptable and I note similar discussions and debates were held when the household charge first was introduced. I recall the Minister of State was sitting in the same chair when Members spoke of the likely degree of opposition among members of the public to the household charge. At the time it was only €100 and Members made the point that once the charge was introduced, it would increase substantially. For the vast majority of households, it is now €300 and it will increase further, as local authorities will be able to increase the charge by a certain percentage - I believe by 15% - after 2015.