Water meter roll-out to take three years
Water meters will take at least another three years to install in houses across the country, Environment Minister John Gormley admitted last night.
The delay until 2013, or beyond, will strengthen the argument of those in government who want to see flat-rate charges introduced in the forthcoming Budget.
Mr Gormley insisted yet again that flat-rate bills would not come in as water charges would only be introduced when meters were installed.
But the Irish Independent understands that flat-rate water charges are being considered due to the length of time it will take to bring in meters. An average water charge of €175 per home has previously been mooted by the Department of Finance.
Mr Gormley said he will bring a plan to Cabinet in the coming weeks for the rollout of water meters, which he said could get under way next year and would be labour intensive.
"I do believe myself it can be done in a period of two years," he said.
He added that he could not give a specific timeline or cost before going to his government colleagues, but he said that the metered water charges would be "fair, significantly reduce waste and be easily applied".
But Fine Gael environment spokesman Phil Hogan asked the minister to guarantee there wouldn't be a flat-rate charge introduced.
Mr Gormley repeated his vow that water meters would come before charges are implemented, so there would not be flat-rate charges.
"I have said so on a number of occasions. I believe if you install meters people will see it as fair," he said.
- Fionnan Sheahan and Patricia McDonagh
Irish Independent
