I agree with Senator Paschal Mooney's comments on the excellent debate here last night with the Taoiseach on the terms of reference of the commission of investigation. As the Senator said, it was good to see the Taoiseach here and we would like to see him here more often. He has been here much more often than the previous Taoiseach, Brian Cowen; it is probably a fair comment. It was an excellent debate and clarified a number of issues about the important commission of investigation.

It is an unfair comment.

Senator Paschal Mooney also raised the issue of water charges. This morning, the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, made clear on "Morning Ireland" that no decision had been made, nothing had been signed off and Labour Party Ministers in particular felt they had not received enough notice or information to come to a decision on the method of charging. The figures given are average figures, with an average meter charge of €240. My colleague, Senator Paul Coghlan, pointed out that this is less than the average set out by the Fianna Fáil four-year programme in 2010, which proposed an average charge of €400 and stated that it would transfer water services to a water utility.

We wait with great interest.

As Senator Aideen Hayden pointed out, the Tánaiste said the Labour Party would not sign off on any water charge that is not fair and equitable. In particular, we want to ensure that families on low incomes are not disadvantaged unduly by water charges.

It will be a first for the Labour Party.

Senator Marc MacSharry acknowledged, and all of us accept, that there is a water conservation issue and that charging for water will have an effect-----

There is a water quality issue also.

And fluoride.

There are many issues around water and colleagues have raised a number of them. We will all benefit from moving to a better and more sustainable water infrastructure. The Government has made figures available that show that the State has been under-investing in water services for years, and we all agree with that. Senator Terry Leyden mentioned that nationally 18,000 or 19,000 people boiled their drinking water every day. That is unsustainable.

That is in Roscommon alone.

I have been given that figure as a national figure. Dublin is struggling to meet capacity requirements. We have had water switch-offs in Dublin and many treatment plants are inadequate.

We use whiskey to purify our water.

I will make no comment on whiskey in the Senator's water.

Is it whiskey in the water or water in the whiskey?

The State has been underspending for decades. It has spent an average of €300 million per year while the true cost of meeting the national requirements for water and wastewater treatment plants and for upgrading infrastructure would be more than €600 million.

How will the Government deal with the shortfall?

With water charges.

Senator Ivana Bacik to continue, without interruption.

Give her a chance.

Senator Paul Coghlan has pointed out that there is a great deal of wastage and a great deal to be done. May I speak without interruption?

Senator Ivana Bacik to continue, without interruption.

I listened with courtesy, although it was difficult sometimes not to interrupt my colleagues on the other side.

I am just a little excited about it. I apologise.

I know the Senator is a little excited with the holidays starting this evening.

Please allow the Deputy Leader to speak without interruption and reply to all the questions raised on the Order of Business.

We had an extensive debate on the establishment of Irish Water and the concept of a water charge and we have been told the Government will make a decision on that in due course but that there was not enough information available to make that decision at this week's Cabinet meeting.

I am happy to seek a debate with the Minister after Easter when the Cabinet decision has been made, but the Leader has pointed out that we have had extensive debates on a measure to which Fianna Fáil signed up when in government.

I take issue with Senator Paschal Mooney's rather clichéd charge that the Government has an anti-rural bias. Every party in opposition during the years has stated the Government has an anti-rural bias. There is no truth in it and we should scupper the notion.

The Government parties will not win a seat in Roscommon.

Members should allow the Deputy Leader to reply to questions put.

As someone who grew up in rural Ireland, I reject any notion that the Government is anti-rural Ireland. It is nonsense.

It has changed since.

Senator Paschal Mooney magnanimously acknowledged that Fianna Fáil had referred to the incorrect statutory instrument during Private Members' time. If he wants to have a debate on the matter, he should put forward the correct statutory instrument next time and, of course, we will have a debate on it.

Senator Paul Coghlan referred to Fianna Fáil's amnesia about water charges. There has, as yet, been no sign-off by the Government, as the Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, made clear in her interview on "Morning Ireland".

Senator Sean D. Barrett called for a debate on Northern Ireland with the Tánaiste. We will look to arrange such a debate. It would be good timing to have it in advance of the marching season.

The Senator also raised the question of the transfer by NAMA of non-performing assets and referred to the need for NAMA not to hold onto assets forever as this could delay recovery. This is acknowledged, but there is a difficulty with flooding the market. NAMA is conscious of the fact that there must be a judicious approach to the disposal of assets.

Senator Aideen Hayden referred to water charges and called for a debate on security of tenure in the rental sector and the regulation of rental properties. I am well aware, particularly in Dublin, of the serious implications for many families living in rental accommodation, for which landlords have hiked up the rent without giving much notice and in such a way as to make it unaffordable for families. This is a serious matter and I am glad that the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton, will speak about the rent supplement issue. We will seek a separate debate with the Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, on regulation and security of tenure in the rental sector.

Senator Terry Leyden referred to water charges, but I will pass over his comments about the local election constituencies. Suffice it to say, Senators Aideen Hayden and Mary Moran dealt with that issue and it is outrageous to suggest the independent electoral commission was in some way biased in its approach.