Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I share the concerns of Senators who spoke about Console. Yesterday we discussed the matter on the Order of Business and we had somewhat of a reply. On that occasion, a number of Senators expressed their concern.

Today I raise one simple issue, namely, the European Commission and the Water Framework Directive. This week the European Commission said that Ireland cannot abolish water charges without breaching the EU Water Framework Directive. EU Commissioner, Karmenu Vella, has said the flexibility offered to Ireland ended in 2010 when the then Government pledged to introduce water charges. He also said that derogation from water charges could have been sought in 2010 but it was not. No one did so and the opportunity has now been missed. Subsequently, the Government applied water charges. The Commission said that it does not consider that Ireland can now revert on the water charges. Commissioner Vella's comments are significant, particularly in the recent days and given the debate on water charges in both the Seanad and the Dáil.

The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government plans to travel to Brussels next week to meet Commissioner Vella. Will the Leader invite the Minister to the Seanad when he returns to explain what is the correct situation? Is it correct that Ireland may be subject to fines for breaches of the Water Framework Directive?