Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Yes. If we had the figure for the second half of the year that would be useful. It would seem that the tax will continue at €100 per household up to 1 July.

The Minister said in his opening statement that savings are being realised on current expenditure by replacing the Exchequer contributions to the local government fund with revenue from the household charge. He stated there are also savings to the order of €34 million in the voted current expenditure in 2012. I ask him to explain where the saving of €34 million was achieved.

I refer to the establishment of Irish Water. Representatives of Bord Gáis attended the committee last week. I am surprised at the mention of the figure of €10 million. If the Minister will pardon the pun, it will be a drop in the ocean compared to the figures we discussed last week. The figure of €10 million seems to be very low. The Bord Gáis representatives said this would require ongoing substantial funding and subsidy from the Exchequer - from the taxpayer - as well as whatever charges are levied at the meter.

Will the Minister clarify what that €10 million will cover? Such an amount will not-----