Caít Keane (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I support Deputy Eamonn Coghlan on all the magnificent work he has done since he was elected to this House. I read part of the report online but there is a shortcut in it to many of the reports that have been published already. If much of that groundwork were implemented, it would be welcome and would contribute to the work done by Senator Eamonn Coghlan, as mentioned by Senators Catherine Noone, Michael Mullins and everyone in the House who has raised it. However, Senator Coghlan has done a good deal of the work.

I raise the issue of the collection of the water rates. If people can afford to pay and will not pay, they are breaking the law. I do not know a Member on any side of the House who would say that people like the Anti-Austerity Alliance or Sinn Féin Deputies and others cannot afford to pay their water charges. It is no different than any other charge. We have to pay for a plumber, a carpenter and so on. The announcement today is about keeping people who will not pay their water charges out of jail. There will be a different approach now to people who will not pay the charge and those who cannot afford to pay. Generous allowances will be made, and that will be looked at. It is time we said that those who cannot afford to pay this charge will not be asked to pay it.