Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is also a fact that in Northern Ireland the element of water charge recognised by the UK regulator is rolled up into the council charges system. This framework will be in existence until the end of 2015. Then Sinn Féin, in power in Northern Ireland, will have to revise how it wishes to sustain the water networks. I suspect the water meters being installed will be rolling and the charges to which Sinn Féin is so opposed to here will be collected.

I am amazed and gobsmacked at the transformation which has occurred in Fianna Fáil. On page 77 of its national recovery plan of 2010, Fianna Fáil agreed to introduce water charges by 2013. In the agreement with the troika it agreed to raise more than €500 million per annum, which equates to €400 per household. Now it is very convenient for Fianna Fáil to oppose the charge because it wants to outflank Sinn Féin. Senator Gilroy made a very good point when he stated it is transforming in front of our eyes. I served on local authorities with Fianna Fáil members who adopted responsible budgets.

I can see no responsibility in the current position being adopted. I am quite surprised and the Senators should rethink their position. This country has spent €1.2 billion per annum on a water structure that is creaking and breaking down. We now have clear choices. Do we want to see raw sewage being pumped into our rivers, lakes and bays, as that is happening as we speak? Senator Cullinane knows Waterford estuary well, and it is happening in Dunmore East and Ballyhack, with raw sewage going into the clear water.