David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 242: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if it was the intention of his Department to levy charges for water on bed and breakfast operations here; if so, the arrangements he suggests putting in place during the non-holiday period; the way he will charge for water in view of the fact that domestic water is also used by bed and breakfast owners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18229/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Guesthouses are commercial enterprises and, as non-domestic users of water supplies, are required, in accordance with the requirement of the Water Framework Directive and the polluter pays principle, to be charged for water services supplied to them.

Where there is a mixture of domestic and non-domestic use in a premises, an allowance, based on the local authority's reasonable estimation of the domestic element of water consumption in the premises, is used to reduce the overall charge to the consumer.