Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We have to take into consideration a person's ability to pay. In that regard, we should consider introducing in the Bill whatever mechanism is needed to assess that ability.

How will the free allowance for households be decided upon? Will someone living alone in a four-bedroom house have the same allowance as a family with four children in a similar dwelling, even though there is no comparison in water usage? How therefore will that allowance be determined and enforced?

A figure of €750 was mentioned on earlier stages of the legislation.