Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 16: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the exemption from domestic water charges Ireland has at European Union level; the steps he will take in respect of this exemption in river basin management plans in 2010 and 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22228/10]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 23: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he is considering introducing flat water charges for domestic households as part of the plan to reintroduce water charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22387/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 23 together.

In December 2009, following a decision by Government, I informed the House that I would be bringing forward proposals for the installation of water meters in households served by public water supplies. These proposals, which my Department is now finalising, will give effect to the commitment in the renewed Programme for Government to introduce charging for domestic water in a way that is fair, significantly reduces waste and is easily applied. I expect to bring these proposals to Government in the coming weeks.

Article 9 of the Water Framework Directive requires Member States to have in place water pricing policies to provide adequate incentives for users to use water services efficiently. Article 9 also states that a Member State will not be in breach of the Directive if it decides, in accordance with established practices at the time of adoption of the Directive, not to apply the provisions of Article 9 for a given water use. The Government's Water Pricing Policy at the time of the adoption of the Directive in October 2000, which required local authorities to recover the cost of providing water services from the users of these services, with the exception of households using the services for domestic purposes, was considered to be consistent with the requirements of Article 9.

The process of making river basin management plans in accordance with the Water Framework Directive for the period up to 2015 is well advanced with final plans to be adopted by the middle of this year. The Directive is concerned with establishing a framework for the protection and sustainable use of water, based on the long-term protection of available water resources. The introduction of metered water charges will lead to a more sustainable use of water resources and is, therefore, consistent with the Directive's key objectives.