Denis Landy (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank both groups for coming in today. We have certainly learned a lot this afternoon as there has been much clarification. My first question is to the delegation from the CER. A number of speakers have spoken about quality of water and how one will charge for that. In the last round of questions, Senator Keane again asked the question and the response as I understood it was in the context of a rebate in areas with poor water quality. I know the CER has made no decisions and I am prefacing everything I say on that basis. The delegation from the CER said earlier that the CER would be liaising with the EPA on this matter. There has been a boil notice on a continuous basis in Roscommon. Does the delegation not accept that it would be very difficult to start people off on a metering system where they are told they will get a rebate rather than a reduction or no charge? I think it would be no charge. Could the delegation address that issue because it is very significant? I picked out Roscommon but it affects other parts of the country.

The CER presentation referred to benchmarking best international practice. Benchmarking is based on looking at what is happening in other places and making a decision. Can the delegation give us some idea of what it is going to start off with? Deputy Humphreys referred to Scotland and there are other examples of how charging is arrived at in other countries. Could the delegation tell us what the CER's starting point in this is so we have some idea of where it is coming from? Does the CER envisage a suite of charges? The issue was outlined by Deputy Coffey. What happens in my area where one has water in but no water out or where one has no water in but water out? Will there be different levels for categories or charges? I will continue with questions if the Chairman likes.