Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 1031: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if she will ensure that implementation of the EU directive which requires water metering and charging for non-domestic users exempts non-profit organisations such as sports clubs and schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14979/07]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Article 9.1 of the EU Water Framework Directive requires Member States to take account of the principle of water services cost recovery, including environmental and resource costs, in accordance with the polluter pays principle. The Directive is being implemented in Ireland in relation to the non-domestic sector on the basis of recovery of all non-domestic water services costs from non-domestic users of the services. This is being achieved by means of a meter based volumetric charge to ensure water charging of users according to actual consumption. Metering should also encourage water conservation. There is no provision for the exemption of any class of non-domestic user from water charges.