Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

He should listen to the OECD and examine other countries’ models. He should learn from where poverty and the provision of water go hand in hand. What will happen is that the Government, even with the best will in the world, will vote through legislation that will create huge problems not only for the country, but also for its citizens long into the future. This is wrong. Senator Barrett said this is effectively a poll tax. It is Thatcherite and wrong. It is hitting those who can least afford to pay it more because the percentage of their disposable income needed to pay will be greater than that of those earning €150,000 per year, even though they may use much less water. What is occurring is very wrong.