I call Deputy Tóibín on behalf of Sinn Féin.

What about the revolting Labour backbenchers?

It is still being decided.

The Deputy should watch out for his own party.

I have called Deputy Tóibín. Do Deputies understand people tune in every day to listen to Leaders' Questions and they are not interested in people shouting their heads off?

Hear, hear.

Allow Deputy Tóibín to ask his question.

It is an interesting insight into the state of disarray within the Labour Party when Deputy Quinn is announcing his resignation as Minister for Education and Skills two days before the culmination of a leadership battle. His giving a resignation speech at the same time as Leaders' Questions is also a snub to the Taoiseach.

I have a question regarding Irish Water. There are 750,000 people in the State living in poverty, one person in ten cannot afford food and 13% of the population went without purchasing fuel last year. At the same time the Taoiseach is seeking to enforce a water tax on the same people. With what can only be described as contempt for Dáil oversight, Irish Water has again failed to provide details of a new water tax. The appearance of representatives of the Commission for Energy Regulation at yesterday's meeting of the environment committee was farcical. The committee's democratic function was obstructed as it was denied the vital information by which it seeks to make decisions, and despite the regulator requesting information from Irish Water at yesterday's meeting, the company failed to supply the required documentation. That is par for the course.

The establishment of Irish Water has been shrouded in secrecy from the start and the Dáil is being denied information on a consistent basis by the Government. As a result, citizens do not believe a word from the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan. There is widespread belief now among citizens that the majority of households will pay a charge much higher than the €240 figure suggested.

Absolutely.

That will happen because Irish Water will be forced to pay the full cost of the company and the provision of water to the citizens as required by the EU directive. When will citizens and households know how much they must pay for water? Will the Taoiseach tell the Dáil categorically that, as he previously stated, the average charge per household will not exceed €240?

Yes, I can.

Clarity at last.

The direction given by the Government through the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to the regulator is that the average metered charge per household will be €240 per year or €60 per quarter. The second element of that instruction is that children's use of water will be free. It is a matter for the regulator to determine the allowance. I have seen allowances have a range in different reports and surveys but the important point is that the direction from the Government, through the Minister, to the regulator is very clear. There will be an average metered charge of €240 per year and children's use will be free. That will not change.

The problem is there seems to be difficulty between the regulator and Irish Water. Irish Water has asked the regulator to reduce the free water allowance for children, which would inevitably lead to a much higher charge for families.

People will not be able to wash at all.

There is widespread concern that the 38,000 litre per child free allowance may be ditched and the regulator still has not given full details of medical conditions that would allow certain users not to be charged for their supply. The clear message through the local and European elections to the Taoiseach's party and the Labour Party was that tens of thousands of families are teetering at the edge of existence, with the property and water charges pushing individuals over the edge. Recently we have seen people protesting right around the country and we have seen the suspension of Irish Water meter installations.

Will the Taoiseach confirm there will be a 38,000 litre allowance per child? Will he confirm that the oversight of the Oireachtas committees will be guaranteed? Will he confirm that the position being played out between the regulator and Irish Water will be put to an end, so there can be no more confusion on the issue?

The policy decision made by the Government is very clear and will not change. It is a policy direction to the regulator, which determines the final outcome in these cases. The average metered charge per year will be €240, with children's usage free. Thanks to the green flag movement over approximately the past decade and a half, there is now a generation of young people and children growing up with a very different view from their parents on water wastage. I have seen that in my own household.

The State wastes most water.

The assessments for the use of water by children have certainly changed since the original assessments were carried out based on water usage in a different jurisdiction as we did not have water meters here at all. The regulator will determine that amount.

It could be less than 38,000 litres.

In the process of the public consultation which took place, I would have thought the Oireachtas committee could have called the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government before it to discuss the matter. The public consultation took place and it was quite comprehensive. The public consultation did not result in any change of policy or direction from the Government to the regulator.

Irish Water did not even make a submission. Do not play with words.

The Government set the direction very clear and the regulator will make the final decision.

Uisce faoi thalamh.

Irish Water is entitled to make its case but the Government direction or instruction has not and will not change.

Irish Water's downtown office.