David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 42:

In page 13, line 27, after "customer," to insert the following:"and will provide exemptions for customers who can demonstrate an inability to pay based on criteria set down by the Minister".

This amendment is a bit watery, pardon the pun. We only tabled it in this manner because it was the only way we could table a Report Stage amendment that sought to include some sort of ability to pay clause in the charge. We have at least managed to move an amendment through which to discuss the issue.

In response to previous contributions, the Minister of State mentioned that the Government would examine issues of a free allowance, affordability and water poverty. However, our problem is that we do not want to take a leap of faith and vote for a Bill that will allow for water charges in the hope that the Government will ensure protections for low-income families. Similar amendments were tabled by Fianna Fáil and ruled out of order. It would have been better had an ability to pay element been introduced into the section on a water charges plan. The clause would have been prescriptive.

Perhaps the Minister of State might tease out how the Government's affordability mechanisms will work and what provisions will be put in place to support low-income families in particular. He mentioned sick people. Obviously, they must be looked after. However, if the Government is not willing to accept amendments on an ability to pay clause or even an exemption for customers who can demonstrate an inability to pay, which are essentially the same suggestions but worded differently, the Minister of State should inform the House of what the Government means when it claims that it will address the issue of affordability. This is an important question.

How will the Government deal with the issue of water poverty? The Minister of State might have noticed that a report on food poverty was published by the Mandate and UNITE trade unions. We do not want to see water poverty being reported on in five, ten or 20 years' time and becoming an issue alongside fuel poverty, food poverty and poverty generally. If the Government is genuine - I am not saying that it is not - about affordability, protecting low-income families and ensuring that we do not create water poverty, the Minister of State should tell us how people will be protected. I look forward to his response.