Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Those decisions have to be made. The cost per household will be announced by the regulator. He or she will announce his or her intended decision and then people will have the opportunity to make submissions. There will be a consultative process before a final decision is made. People will be aware, therefore, of what the cost may be and they will have an opportunity to make submissions. That is the way it should be. When the decision is announced, the figure will not have been plucked from the air. It will have to reflect water wastage. As Deputy Murphy said, 42% of water is unaccounted for. There will have to be a plan. Irish Water will not be able to decide the charge will be X, Y or Z. The organisation will have to take into account its costs and plans and the regulator will engage in consultation. There will have to be total transparency about how the decision is made. It will not happen without proper discussion and transparency.

Future funding is a budgetary matter. Clearly, the economic position annually will be a serious issue.