The severe water shortage in Dublin over the past two weeks has highlighted many significant issues and difficulties, but in particular it raises the issue of the wisdom of introducing water charges in late 2014 in the absence of being in a position to guarantee large sections of the population timely access to water. There are increased pressures on the system, in particular demographic pressures.

The Government is proceeding with its legislation in regard to water services and the establishment of Irish Water, and also in terms of bringing in water charges. Given what has happened over the past two weeks, serious questions hang over that because there has to be a relationship between availability of and access to water and charging for it.

Correct. It should have started 20 years ago.

People want quality water and a proper service before they are asked to pay for it. In that context, the water services Bill, which deals with the establishment of Irish Water, is coming through but the Government has also committed to providing Irish Water with the necessary powers-----

Thank you, Deputy.

There is legislation on the schedule which seeks to provide Irish Water with the necessary powers to deliver water services, including through service level agreements with local authorities, to define the relationship between Irish Water and local authorities and the economic and environmental regulators, to set out the legal basis for domestic water charges and to extend the water regulatory powers of CER, and to provide for related matters. When can we expect that Bill to come before the House?

The clarity by which we now know of the lack of investment in water over the years is the reason we have to have Irish Water and have consistency in dealing with these things.

Exactly.

I listened to the chief engineer, speaking after the visit of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to Ballymore Eustace, indicate the nature of the particular problem and the impact of possible climate change on that.

Climate change?

That was according to the chief engineer. We need a plan to deal with the leaks from the pipes in Dublin and require a long-term plan to facilitate the provision of water for the city during the next 50 years.

We asked for-----

That is why Irish Water has been established.

The Taoiseach is leaking badly.

The water services Bill will be published during this session.

It will be published this session.

Yes.

Therefore, the Government is going to proceed with the introduction of water charges.