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Water and Sewerage Services (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 2006

I, too, thank the Minister for introducing the order. I fully recognise that this is not the main order which will introduce water charging in Northern Ireland, but the proposals in this order are linked to that main order—it is a bit of a trailer. It is therefore relevant to raise some of the concerns that I have about water charging as a whole. The Northern Ireland Assembly is suspended, so Ministers in Westminster have proceeded with proposals to introduce additional charges for water and sewerage services. Ratepayers in Northern Ireland already pay for water and sewerage services through their rates. These new charges would be on top of the payment made through the regional rate. It is somewhat unfair to expect the people of Northern Ireland to pay twice for the same services. We accept the need for improved water and sewerage services, but ratepayers are not to blame for historic underinvestment. Home owners have paid their rates. It would be a cruel injustice if they were expected to pay twice. Therefore, depending on what the Minister has to say, we will reserve our position on this order until we have heard what he has to say when he sums up.