Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Mr. Tierney got approval from the Department in September 2012 for an expenditure of €180 million for the setting up of Irish Water, which included - he outlined this - upwards of €85 million for consultancy fees. I am saying there has to be ministerial responsibility for that decision. I am surprised the Minister said in Carlow last week that he found €50 million excessive. I am also surprised that other Ministers find it excessive when the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, under the stewardship of the Minister and the Government, agreed that process. Does Mr. Tierney agree or disagree?