John Whelan (Labour) | Oireachtas source

The forum, as set out by the Minister in the Bill, clearly has the capacity to be wholly and fully representative of all the stakeholders in the community - commercial users, householders, workers and so on and there is no requirement or necessity to enshrine that in the primary legislation. Clearly, the Minister is listening here and responding, but now he is being castigated for establishing a forum, just as when we introduced meters people said they did not want meters, but then said they will not pay for water until they get meters. They cannot make up their minds about anything.

Fianna Fáil said it is opposed to a €160 flat fee, but it intended introducing a €400 flat charge.