asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware that for many years the Dublin Corporation has been charging for water supplied for domestic purposes to private residences in the extra-municipal districts a price far in excess of that authorised by statute; further, if he will state if the Dublin Corporation has petitioned him to allow increased charges for water in the extra-municipal districts; and, if so, if he will undertake, before granting such petition, to cause a public inquiry to be held, preferably by the Prices Advisory Body, into the economic selling price of water supplied by the Dublin Corporation to the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Water Supply Charges.
Water for domestic purposes is supplied by Dublin Corporation to consumers in the extra-municipal districts on the basis of agreements between individual consumers and the corporation. I am aware that the rate of payment stipulated in certain of these agreements exceeds the limit set by the Dublin Corporation Water-works Act, 1861. With a view to rectifying the position, the Corporation have submitted a petition asking that the limit should either be raised or removed altogether. The question of holding an inquiry into the matter is being considered. The Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act, 1948, under which the petition has been made, authorises the holding of a public inquiry by a local government inspector so that resort to the Prices Advisory Body would be inappropriate.