Michael Comiskey (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State to the House and thank him for taking the time to discuss this very important issue of water metering. The Water Services (No. 2) Act received lengthy debate both in this and the Lower House prior to Christmas and provided for the necessary implementation of water charges. These are necessary to ensure we can provide the best quality water system for the citizens of our country.

As my colleagues have pointed out, most meters are expected to be fit for purpose for much longer than 15 years. Rigorous testing by Irish Water will ensure that the performance of meters is monitored to a guaranteed efficiency. Metering is undoubtedly the fairest way to determine charges for domestic water supply. It helps household to monitor water usage and it helps Irish Water measure how much water is used, thus lowering consumption and water charges in the long run. Metering also helps Irish Water to identify consumer-side leakage, which accounts for approximately a tenth of the national leakage rate, which is up to 49% of all water treated, as has already been noted. These leaks are being identified during the meter installation programme, and once meters were installed and long before charging commenced, people were more conscious of water usage. The process is already working and it will continue to do so.

Metering has sustained approximately 1,300 jobs, 84% of which are held by people in one of the social inclusion categories - that is, those on the live register, small and medium enterprises, and graduates, apprentices and school leavers. I gave an example from County Sligo in the debate before Christmas. Over the next five years, water engineers have estimated that the cost of dealing with projects identified throughout the county will be €70 million. We must recognise the good work that Sligo and Leitrim have done in the past, and they have no real problem with water services or the quality of water. Irish Water will cover the entire cost in future - meaning there is no cost to the council - and there will be hundreds of jobs in the county for construction workers, engineers and so on. This represents real employment for young graduates from the likes of the Institute of Technology, Sligo. They will provide a vital utility through our county that will add to growth while at the same time protecting the environment.

We must question why Sinn Féin is not stopping water metering in Northern Ireland.