Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Finally, I wish to touch on the issue of water, which we have discussed with some of Mr. McCarthy's colleagues, including Ms Graham, at this committee previously. I ask for an update on the Department's linkage with Irish Water.

We have seen a significant change in the delivery of water. I understand the taxpayer is giving a subvention of €486 million from the local government fund in 2014. Will Mr. McCarthy give us an overview of the oversight role of the Department and the linkage it has with Irish Water? Is there a representative of the Department on the board of Irish Water? Does the Department receive quarterly reports from Irish Water? Will Mr McCarthy comment on a story that broke at the weekend in the national media? A front page headline in The Sunday Business Post"Budget blow as new charges needed for network repair", was basically a story stating that all the revenue from water charges in the first year will go to fixing urgent problems in the water network.