Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

The intention of section 72 is to give water services providers adequate powers to install meters and to have access to them subsequently for maintenance or taking readings. It is based generally on existing provisions in section 68 of the Public Health (Ireland) Act 1878 and section 14 of the Waterworks Clauses Act 1863, which have been repealed and consolidated in this Bill.

Such a framework of provisions is essential to enable water service providers to measure the value of services provided and protect the integrity of their services from criminal interference for the purpose of fraudulent diversion of supplies. Provision of meters will also play a vital role in monitoring supplies for water conservation purposes. I pointed out in the House on a number of occasions that at present the loss of water from the time it leaves its source until it arrives in the taps is approximately 50%. It is above this figure in some local authorities and below it in others.

It is vitally important that if meters are required to try to ascertain where water is being lost, conservation should take place and funding should be provided to protect this essential supply, they should be provided. It is not intended to introduce water charges for domestic use. Similar provisions operate in respect of other public utilities such as electricity and gas supply. All of these are essential prerequisites to the provision of well managed and efficient services.

The Bill seeks to facilitate and regulate the provision of water services. As I said earlier, it deals literally and metaphorically with the nuts and bolts of the delivery of water services. Metering is central to the delivery of water services. It is essential, therefore, to provide for the powers necessary to implement a proper metering policy from both the perspective of the water services provider and consumers. Section 72 addresses these requirements.

Senator Bannon referred last week to metering of group water schemes. This is a matter for the group water schemes. If the group water trustees decide there should be meters, it is a matter for them. Group water schemes, which were helped by funding from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, have served us well over the years. If they insist there should be metering, it is a matter for them. We have no intention of interfering in this regard. No one will be more surprised than me if Senator Bannon can produce the circulars that are alleged to have been issued by my Department. I will deal with the matter if the Senator provides me with the circulars. I will refrain from comment until I see the circulars. There will be opportunities in the House in the future to clarify the matter.

Meters can help to pin down leakage and stem wastage, which will reduce the operating costs of group schemes. If this is the intention, it is only right and proper that they should be allowed to continue without any interference from my Department.