Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the four Green Party Senators for co-sponsoring this important motion. My colleague has talked about us all being on board. I want to confirm that, yes, I am on board. It is a great idea. I will just speak to a few points on it.

We might all remember - I certainly did - growing up when every schoolyard in the country had a water fountain and it was free. I am not sure if the fountain itself was very clean - but the water was - and everyone drank from that. There was no big mystery around it and it was all quite simple. It was all back to basics. I so happen to be in Spain and Portugal a few times a year and in the villages there they have water. They also have water for washing with community facilities for feeding animals and all sorts of things. There can be the great gathering around the well or a great gathering around the fountain or the watercourse. That is something historically we have had. I fully commend the motion.

We must reduce plastics; it is as simple as that. I do not think it is a big science, might I say, or that there should be challenge for the Green Party in getting it over the line. They are in government. This is a very simple and modest ask. It does not need all guns blazing. I do not see why this motion could not be agreed quickly and rapidly because it makes absolute sense. There are health benefits and there are financial benefits to having water. It is important.

On that point, I also wish to raise an issue around group water schemes. Sometimes we sort of lose all of that. I do not pay water charges in Dublin and other people do not pay water charges. There are group water schemes, however, where people are making contributions. I acknowledge the enormous work that they do. We know from those Members who represent rural constituencies that this is a real big issue.

Last week, I had sent out a circular as part of my weekly communications mentioning that the Green Party motion was coming up, and said that I would be very interested to hear what people had to say about it. It is always important to ask people. My colleague, Independent Councillor Geraldine Donohue from Galway, sent me some correspondences, the latest date of which was 24 February 2023. They relate to the issue of the long-term impact charges, LTI. There is huge inconsistency with these LTI charges and that needs to be looked at and addressed. There is an inconsistency. I have the letters from the Department and from Galway County Council, which are replies to concerns as set out. The most recent letter from Galway County Council says:

Dear Councillor,

I refer to your Notice of Motion which read as follows:

"That the Chief Executive make a statement on the suggestion that the Long-Term Impact Charges imposed on Group Water Schemes and very high and in particular those of Galway County Council and what options are open to Galway County Council to remedy this situation"

One might ask what this has to do with this motion before us today, but it has a lot to do with this motion because it is about water. The letter from Galway County Council went on:

The following is the reply: There have been no increases in the LTI rates in Galway for many years. The council is satisfied that LTI rates are appropriate and reflect the level of impact to the roads network.

There are issues and there are concerns. Water is a scarce commodity and it is a resource. We must look at it again as to who is paying for it. At issue is who will be paying for this source of water. When we consider the motion before us, it is only one ask. There is an issue about further notes. I believe that we all welcome that. We have no problem with that. We recognise and agree with all of that. It is only one ask, which is that Uisce Éireann and the CRU would waive connection charges for local authorities and community groups seeking to provide water connections in the public water bottle refill stations. I hope there would not be too many bottles being refilled and that people will not be watering plants all over the place, but I fully support it.

I thank the Green Party Senators for bringing the motion forward. Sometimes it is those little things that matter. Sometimes we forget the little things but I believe this makes common sense. I would be somewhat shocked and surprised if this was not enacted in a matter of weeks. The questions we would then have to ask would be around what is the delay, what is the problem, and where is the resistance. Hopefully there will not be resistance and hopefully with the Minister of State's political skills he will definitely get it over the line.I wish him well.