I wish to ask the Taoiseach about one of the measures included in the renewed programme for Government, that is, the proposal or the intention to introduce or reintroduce water charges. The programme states that it is intended to introduce charging for treated water use on the basis of a basic free allowance provided to each household and then to charge for water in excess of use above that allowance. This would obviously require the metering of water in individual households. Will the Taoiseach indicate if there is any estimate for the cost of metering every house in the country? When the Leas Cheann-Comhairle was Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, a cost was carried out which at the time amounted to approximately £1 billion. This was the estimated total cost to meter every house in the country. Has any costing been carried out on the metering of every house or dwelling into provide for water charges?

Has any consideration been given to what the basic level of water allowance would be that would apply to each house? How much is it intended would be raised by charging for water?

It is important to point out that advancing the programme for Government commitment requires further detailed consideration over the coming period and a range of important issues must be addressed. No definitive or detailed framework for the implementation of the commitment can be spelled out at this point. The final approach will be the subject of a Government decision on the basis of detailed proposals which must be worked up.

The policy considerations relate to the need for legislation to give effect to a commitment which must be examined. The operational cost for local authorities to provide water and waste water services in 2007 was €680 million and the estimated cost in 2008 was €730 million. A public information campaign may be required to outline the rationale for water metering and how it would be implemented. The Commission on Taxation, which recommended the introduction of domestic water charges, recommended a public information campaign that would explain the rationale for water charges and how they would be introduced. Local authorities will need to gather information on the identity and location of domestic customers and ensure their billing systems are accurate. It will be necessary also to work out an established waiver scheme for low income householders. The development of a water charges waiver system and the necessary implementation arrangements for such a system would require careful consideration.

The whole purpose is to try to provide a prospect where, over time, we can find the means by which we can pay for the provision of water and waste water treatment, which is very considerable, on an annual basis. I do not have the details to hand but the Deputy may ask the line Minister in respect of any particular estimates regarding the provision of water metering in every household if it were proceeded with.

It is also important to refer to the whole question of the waste currently taking place because people are not charged a basic minimum because of loss of water in the system, which cost a good deal of money to the taxpayer as it stands. The revised programme refers to introducing charging for treated water use that is fair, that significantly reduces waste and is easily applied. That is the detailed work that must now be proceeded with.

I do not see where it raises money if one must meter every dwelling. The national household survey indicates there are 1.9 million dwellings in the country now. It could cost the guts of €2 billion to meter them. What level of water charge would be necessary to raise money if one has to spend almost €2 billion metering them in the first place and if, as the Taoisech indicated, there will only be a charge after a certain minimum allowance is granted and there is to be a waiver system?

Will the Taoiseach give the House an assurance that the Government will not introduce a flat water charge in advance of metering and in advance of putting in place a minimum water allowance for every household and the waiver system to which he referred? One concern with this proposal is that we could be informed in six or 12 months time that the cost of metering is very high, that there are practical difficulties associated with the allowance and that the Government would go ahead with the introduction of a flat water charge. Will the Taoiseach give the House an assurance that there will not be a flat water charge and that this will not be progressed until the metering is done, the allowances are set and a waiver system is put in place?

Detailed work must now be done to work up and design a scheme that would provide for the attainment of this objective over time. The policy consideration must take account of the fact that in the absence of any incentive or disincentive effect in terms of the use, we see a good deal of water wasted and used disproportionately in certain households compared to others. We must find a means to address this given that last year it cost approximately €730 million to provide water and waste water facilities in the country. That is a significant charge on the taxpayer and on local authorities and we must find a means to address this in a fair and proportionate way and in a way that takes account of variations of circumstance. We must ensure that indiscriminate use regardless of amount by one household vis-à-vis another is something that must be dealt with as a policy matter. It is something that must be examined by the Government, and it will be examined by the Minister. We are outlining in the policy the direction of our intentions.