Denis Landy (Labour) | Oireachtas source

During that session, many of the issues raised today were raised and many were answered by the representatives of Irish Water and by Bord Gáis. The word "scandal" was used today and articles in newspapers were referred to. I generally form my opinions based on the people I meet in my everyday life as opposed to journalists or people who write for various publications on a weekly basis.

The scoping document was referred to during the meeting last week. That document outlines on what the particular amounts of money, such as the €44 million to IBM, were spent and whether value for money was achieved. Without that information, it is very difficult for any of us to say whether it is a scandal or otherwise. The committee was told by representatives of Bord Gáis that we would get that document. To answer Deputy O'Brien's question, I am a member of that committee and I am still awaiting that document so that I can analyse whether there was value for money or blatant misuse of money. I respectfully ask the Minister of State to try to ensure that it is provided by Irish Water to the members of the committee and that is made available to Members of both Houses because without that document, we are all speaking in a vacuum, or are blowing hot air.

The word "consultant" drives members of the public daft. They were not driven daft by the misuse of consultants, or by what they do, by this Administration but by the previous Administration's waste of public money on consultants. That should be borne in mind by those pretending to be horrified and who are talking about runaway trains and all types of vehicles.

I questioned the representatives of Irish Water last week on water quality but did not get a satisfactory answer. We were told it would depend on the quality of water as to whether people would be charged. For example, in County Roscommon where 20,000 people have been issued with a boil notice-----