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

The Minister of State indicated that further legislation will be required and we know there will be a transfer of assets. Bord Gáis and Bord na Móna are semi-State companies. The refuse collection company, AES, is a subsidiary of Bord na Móna. Irish Water will become a subsidiary of Bord Gáis. I am a customer of AES and I will have the same relationship, both as a customer and a Deputy, with Irish Water. I put a cheque in the post and make a telephone call to the company once a year. I can make a complaint but it does not have to listen to me because there is no direct line of accountability through county councillors or anyone else. It will be a stand-alone subsidiary of Bord Gáis.

In regard to the regulator and the finances, there will be €300 million in subsidies. If the estimated cost of €1.2 billion is divided by 1.5 million households, it works out at approximately €750 per house.