Mr. John Barry:

We used the existing system to launch the metering programme which went forward initially and that was driven by the timescale of the metering programme.

We copied the Bord Gáis system, which is not water specific so we had to invest with business requirements, processes and a new system for water. Deputy Coffey asked for a declaration that we followed national procurement rules. We did so in all cases. We benchmarked it and we have provided some quotes. Thames Water is currently investing some €100 million in the asset management system we put in place in the past 18 months to get to where we are in water and gas. Mr. John Dempsey can address the question of funding.