Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

That is the difference with regard to the evidence Mr. Grant is giving. A temporary scheme, including the procurement process, was put in place in Roscommon central within eight or nine weeks. It was expedited within the Department. I cannot understand why this cannot be done in Castlerea and Kileglan, pending introduction of the full treatment plant in however number of months it will take. People should not have to tolerate boil notices continuing for 12 or 18 months, or three years in the case of Castlerea.

The Minister of State, Deputy Fergus O'Dowd, said in the House prior to Christmas that Irish Water should not be allowed to charge for water supplies subject to restrictions on health grounds. In its evidence today the regulator stated the new charging regime would not be agreed to before August and that it would be a number of years before issues regarding commercial users would be resolved. In the interim, as a measure of good faith, will Irish Water ensure commercial users of water who are charged for water which is unsafe to drink will have these charges removed? We are speaking about a relatively small number of commercial users such as restaurants, bars and food and drink suppliers in the affected areas. Will Irish Water give an assurance that commercial users will not be charged for water where they spend a huge amount of money on replacement ice and water supplies?