Will the Minister agree to change the present system of waiver of the water charges and allow the elected members in each local authority——

That is a separate question. This question deals with guidelines and if they are being adhered to.

The guidelines had to be issued because of the utter confusion which prevailed throughout the local authorities because this matter was left as an executive function to the managers. Will the Minister agree that he made a mistake? Will he give the power to the elected councillors rather than to the manager?

The Deputy obviously has not read the document dealing with the devolution powers which I issued some weeks ago, before the local elections, in which it was indicated that from next year this will be a function for the local authority members.

Is the Minister stating that members will now have power to draw up a waiver scheme?

The power to levy charges will now be one for the local authority members.

Will the elected members have the power in future to draw up a waiver scheme?

That is clearly a separate question and the Deputy knows it.

If power is given to the members to raise charges it seems obvious that they will also have power to draw up a waiver scheme.

Question No. 3.

I will have to pursue it or raise it on the Adjournment.

If the question was allowed on the Adjournment the line the Deputy is now pursuing might be in order but it is not in order at Question Time.

I am seeking clarification on the guidelines, the position that will obtain following the issue of the guidelines and the changes proposed by the Minister. If the Chair will allow me, I should like to ask the Minister if he will change the Act to allow the members to draw up the waiver scheme?

I will not allow it.

The Minister gave misleading information to the House.

The Minister has not given misleading information to the House.

The Deputy must bear with the Chair. The question asked if the Minister was satisfied that all local authorities are complying with the guidelines laid down by him.

I am referring to the reply the Minister gave to me. Is it proposed to change the Act to allow the elected members to draw up a waiver scheme for water charges? It will require a change in the Act.

A new Bill will be brought in to deal with the change which I propose to introduce, that is, to give powers to the local authorities to apply service charges in their area. This item can be discussed then.

The Minister is now changing his footing.

I am not allowing a debate.

I am not changing anything.

The Minister has not answered my question.

I answered the question I was asked.