Mr. John Tierney:

Senator Ó Murchú asked questions about freedom of information and I have already answered that point in respect of information on record. With regard to unrest in local authorities, I have confirmed that the model does not allow for compulsory redundancies. There is protection from the Labour Relations Commission, LRC, in respect of negotiations held earlier in the year. This is reaffirmed in the service level agreement.

Pension liabilities are dealt with in legislation. The preserved piece is not the responsibility of local authorities. Under the legislation, it is the responsibility of the State. The new piece is the responsibility of Irish Water.

In respect of savings and investments, the figure of €2 billion is not a profit situation but the saving to the Exchequer. If the current model stayed in place, the Exchequer would have to find at least €2 billion by 2021 just to maintain what is happening in the current system.