Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which was the previous legislation just passed by the Seanad, contained an amendment proposed by the Seanad which was accepted by the Dáil. I thank the Minister of State with responsibility for research and innovation, Deputy Sherlock, for that. It is proof of the good working relationship between the Seanad and the Dáil.

I welcome the Minister of State back to the House. Amendment No. 40 states that a water charges plan shall specify the manner and method by which charges under section 17 shall be calculated and the costs likely to be incurred by Irish Water in the performance of its functions under this Act during the period to which the water charges plan relates. The previous item was a Christmas goodwill present from the Minister of State, Deputy Sherlock. I was wondering whether there was a possibility of one this afternoon. What is the free amount and what is the price? The Minister of State is asking us to act in the dark on that.

In respect of the amendment's reference to the costs likely to be incurred by Irish Water, the regulator is acting on our behalf and should not accept the costs. Otherwise, he is not providing the counterweight we all need. There are some which we have had only this week. Health insurance costs went up by 86% in four years. Bus fares are regulated by the National Transport Authority and went up 10% last Monday week. They have lost about 55 million passengers in five years. Our electricity prices are 42% above the EU average. Last week, the Commission for Energy Regulation won a case in the High Court on stranded assets which, according to one interpretation, means we cannot import low-cost gas into Shannon from the US. Regulators tend to be captured, as we said on previous Stages. They will submit costs. What we are looking for somebody who will work harder than these regulators do on behalf of the consumer. There is reference to the need for that in the Government's economic strategy announced this week. We have failings in this area. Water is such a vital commodity for everybody. I agree with Senator Cullinane that we must have a stronger role for the Oireachtas. There is much public dissatisfaction with some of these regulators. Water is a vital commodity and nothing can take its place, as the Minister said so eloquently. This is why I am worried about amendment No. 40.

To the average citizen, a water charges plan means what he or she will have to pay. In a previous amendment that was ruled out of order, we put down our estimate of what the free allowance should be. If the consumption is 145 litres, we wanted to give them 100 litres free. That is where we got that number. What water charges mean to the average citizen depends on us having much more information on what the water charges will be. That is why Senator Cullinane has raised important points.