Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I compliment the Minister on his good humour on what must be a tough day for him. I appreciate the time he and the Minister of State have given.

It has been reported to me in the past hour that the Exchequer has taken over the debts of Irish Water to the tune of €460 million. Is this true?

On the issue of people not being able to pay, I recall my father who was a gas fitter travelling around the country to repair gas cookers. When he went to the poorest areas, he was paid first time every time and if the customer had to walk up to every house on the street to get the money to pay, he or she did so. We are good at paying our bills. We now have a movement who use the motto "Can't pay, won't pay". The people who will not pay are a problem, but ordinary, decent people have always tried to pay their debts.

Two questions were posed to me and I will put them to the Minister. Will it be possible for the poorest of the poor to pay their water charges in stages, perhaps quarterly? If so, will they be penalised in the way they would be if they were to pay their motor tax in this way? Will it be possible to buy saving stamps on a weekly basis to pay water charges? It tore the heart and soul out of me when I was asked that question. This involves people asking to buy a €1 or €2 stamp each week to cover their water charges.

These are decent and genuine people who want to meet the charges, regardless of the rest of the furore about Irish Water around the country.

Senator Ó Clochartaigh asked about the adding of water charges to rent by local authorities, a serious question that has come our way tonight and needs to be answered. I know we are all tired at this stage but these questions are coming into me as the debate goes on. I feel the people who are raising these questions are entitled to an answer.