Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their attendance. What level of engagement has the commission had with Irish Water to date in respect of what it is trying to do with that company? What will happen with group water schemes? While there is much focus on people paying for water as though it had not happened across the country already, many people have been paying for water for a long time, myself included. Will there be any allowances for the group water schemes to pass on to the users?

I note that holiday homes were mentioned in the documentation provided. There are many different types of holiday home, ranging from a mobile home renting in a caravan park through to a small cottage somewhere to a palatial mansion. What different types of charges, if any, will be applied in this regard? Has the commission yet considered in detail the issue of sanctions for non-payment? Is this an issue about which it is waiting for Irish Water? I am thinking of the example in respect of electricity, whereby people may well run behind in the payment of their electricity bills. They sometimes have the option of coin metering and so on. Will the commission examine such a possibility for people who genuinely experience difficulties, that is, not those who do not wish to pay but those who are having difficulties in actually paying? The witnesses stated earlier that the commission's role and function is as economic regulator. Can they tell me how this will differ from the other regulatory work the commission does or whether there will be any difference? I acknowledge Ms Mannion mentioned the EPA is responsible for quality. Is this the only difference?