Mr. Seán Laffey:

We are using a risk-based approach to water sources. We have carried out quite a number of studies in the past four years of the sources available to us. We firmly believe many of the chemicals about which we are talking are best controlled at source and on a catchment basis, rather than by allowing them to get to a point where we are required to treat for them.

I will talk a little about capital, but I will preface my comments by referring to the outcome if the draft proposal were included in law and all of the requirements were introduced exactly as they stand. If we had to deal with the chemicals listed, the ones that would come in as part of the raw water supply would, according to a quick calculation, require an investment of additional capital of between €200 million and €300 million. We would have to provide for tertiary treatment, which would probably require products such as activated charcoal.