Vol. 525 No. 3
99 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the nature of the derogation given to this country by the EU Commission regarding its directive on mandatory charges for domestic water users; the conditions attached to the opt-out in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24791/00]
I assume the Deputy is referring to the recently adopted direc tive of the European Parliament and of the Council, Establishing a Framework for Community Action in the Field of Water Policy. Article 9 of the directive requires member states to take account of the principle of the recovery of costs of water services having regard to the social, environmental and economic effects of the recovery. As I indicated in the statement accompanying Ireland's vote in favour of the adoption of the directive I am satisfied, following legal consultations, that the directive accommodates the case advanced by Ireland in relation to the domestic sector, enabling that sector to continue to be exempt from water charges in accordance with established practice. There are no further conditions attaching to Ireland's position on this matter.
