May I ask a question about the financing of local authorities in the Dublin area in particular? In view of the fact that the Minister said yesterday that 62 per cent of the water charges have not been collected in the Dublin area, this is seen to have been a failure as a method of raising finances for local authorities specifically in the Dublin area, does he agree that there is a need to change that system in the immediate future?

When answering a question about the water charges yesterday I indicated that the position had improved in recent months in the collection area to which the Deputy refers. However, it is still far from satisfactory.