Caít Keane (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We do not need Deputies to answer questions. We have the delegates in front of us. I will not be long. I will ask all of my questions together because they are short.

Reed-bed technology is on the agenda, with conservation and recycling. Does Mr. Grant make policy to introduce reed-bed technology for water treatment plants, or does it have to come from on high?

The paper made a comparison in the delivery of upgrading costs between Thames Water and Uisce Éireann. Thames Water spent €150,000 on the one system while Uisce Éireann did eight systems for the same amount. I would like this information in written form because it is valuable. If Uisce Éireann can do something for one eighth of what it costs Thames Water, it should be getting a clap on the back rather than a kick in the backside.
The submission states that Bord Gáis Energy capabilities and systems saved €87 million to date on this project. Will the delegation give me a detailed written explanation of where that €87 million was saved?
The water framework directive stipulates that the user pays for the cost of water provision, an onus often directed at the Government. In Ireland, we essentially do not have a choice about water charges, as a member state must abide by EU directives. If it did not, it would be fined. If this happened, would it be Uisce Éireann or the Government that paid these fines?
Commercial water charges vary drastically across the 34 local authorities, from €175 in Kildare to €375 in Wicklow, the dearest. Will these charges be streamlined by Irish Water? Will they be averaged? A domestic allowance of 225 m³is available where the water supply is used jointly for domestic and commercial use, but local authorities interpret it differently. I presume this will be streamlined too.
If a boil-water notice is in place, will the users affected not be charged? Will that be the policy, or is it yet to be decided? When smart meters come on stream, will the ones put in place now be able to communicate with them and not have to be replaced? I could not find any information on the qualifications required for meter installers and site supervisors. Are there any recommended training courses for builders who may be interested in such a job and want to improve their skills?
When does the company expect the codes of practice to be available? The submission stated that 80% to 85% of costs incurred to date are reasonable. The delegation stated that the cost-benefit exercise would be completed at a later date. When will it be completed? Will the company be able to give the committee details of the exercise to confirm they were reasonable costs?
Has Bord Gáis Energy calculated what it has saved by having the staff transferred to Uisce Éireann? It is agreed that the Irish name of the company, Uisce Éireann, will be used rather than the English form, Irish Water. However, I note that in the company’s submission today the English form is used throughout, when even the Commission for Energy Regulation used the correct form. As well as that, I note the e-mail address we received from the company secretary of Irish Water, Liam O'Riordan, uses the bge.iedomain. Why is Uisce Éireann not used? It may not seem important as people do not drink water in Irish or English. However, the Irish form is used in the legislation and it is important for the Irish language too.