Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

This section provides that where a customer has not paid any water charges within a period of 12 months after the issuing of the first demand and has not entered into nor is complying with a payment plan with Irish Water, Irish Water shall charge a late payment fee for each year the charge remains unpaid. The purpose of the section is to address the issue of those people who simply refuse to pay charges. The late payment fees that will apply are of €30 for a dwelling occupied by not more than one adult and €60 for an unoccupied dwelling or a dwelling occupied by two or more adults. These charges will apply for each year that arrears have been unpaid.
A number of questions relating to this section have been raised. There is a distinction made here between those who cannot pay and those who will not pay. Those who are paying need to be treated fairly, but we must also ensure there is a process in place for those who will not pay. This is that process. A number of Senators asked about those who continue not to pay and raised issues relating to local authorities, landlords and deposits etc. Senators will be glad to know provisions regarding all of these issues will be outlined in a Bill that will be presented in the new year. I presume we will have another late night for that debate.