Mr. John Tierney:

The forecast expenditure is included in the presentation.

In response to Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan, Irish Water is being set up and part of its remit is the reintroduction of charges. This is being done on the basis of trying to meter the maximum number possible. This is Government policy and we have been charged with implementing it. Our intention is to use the maximum amount of the money generated to maximise investment in the system efficiently to deliver some of the crucial investment needed, as mentioned by the Deputy, in the area of water quality.

I will deal with some of the other points made by the Deputy, but Mr. Dempsey will deal with the issue of savings within Bord Gáis. We will also cover the issue of man hours.

In regard to the approach we are taking, the Deputy has mentioned articles that have been published in some newspapers. My only comment is that in any job I have ever done in any local authority I have stood over that work and answered for it, just as I am today answering for the work I am doing in Irish Water.