Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister. I hope the debate on the Bill will be constructive. I do not propose to speak too much about the Bill itself. The measures it contains where introduced in response to very serious concerns expressed by many Irish people who participated in demonstrations, contacted us - as public representatives - and took to the Internet and national airwaves to voice those concerns in respect of the previously proposed structure for charges. The Government has listened to what the people said. I am at a loss to understand those Members of the Oireachtas who are completely opposed to the Bill when the clear intention behind it is to rectify the matters about which they previously complained. The Bill brings clarity, certainty and predictability to the pricing regime that will apply to domestic water services. The starting date for water charges has been put back from 1 January 2015. The first Bills will now issue in April. The existing legislation permitting the exchange of PPS numbers with the Department of Social Protection will be repealed. Households with either a water supply only or s wastewater only service will pay 50% of the rate. Those who own dwellings which are not permanently occupied will pay a minimum of €125 per year.
This Government will deliver safe and reliable water supplies for families and businesses alike over the coming decades. We were elected with a large mandate for reform by a people who were tired of the way previous Governments ran both the economy and our infrastructure into the ground.