David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Yes, but we all live in the real world, where local authority budgets are being cut. While I would support a cut, it is again unfair to put responsibility back on local government while the Government is cutting funding to it. However, the point is that it was €100 at the outset but very quickly became €300. This is the real fear people will have in respect of water charges. I have no doubt whatsoever that for the first couple of years, the full cost of water services will not be passed on to customers. The Minister of State will undoubtedly be seeking an easy lead-in and again, it might be a low figure, people will be given a generous free allowance and there will be continued central Government subvention into Irish Water. While people might start off on a low rate, their experience of stealth charges is that such charges are introduced on a low rate and then increase continually thereafter. This simply is not good governance or good politics. It is not good for Members to be asked to support a Bill, which at its heart and core pertains to the introduction of water charges, without having a clue as to what level of income the Government seeks to generate in the first instance from the charge and thereafter, how that charge will be calculated. In this context, Members had a lengthy discussion on the issue of ability to pay and whether income will be taken into account but they simply do not know and are clueless in this regard. This is not because of a lack of debate on this issue but because the Minister of State is not in a position, with respect, to give Members the answers to these questions. I do not believe this to be acceptable and for this reason, I will oppose the section by supporting the amendment.