Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I was reassured by the regulator at our last meeting that there would be fairness but people do not see this as fair. I do not see how anyone can justify it as fair. There are concerns about the extent to which that can be curtailed because we already have a level of unfairness which I expected would be prevented through the regulator's objective involvement.

In regard to the big discussion on the need to build water pipes from the River Shannon to Dublin, has Irish Water made a case to the regulator on the need to move water from west to east, has this been taken into account in the company's plans and how is it being costed? Some people would like us to ask why we are charging for water if it is falling down from the sky but we know there is much more to the matter than that. It has to be treated and transported through pipes. What is the plan to bring water to Dublin to address future shortages and how much will it cost? Will that cost be passed on or is it already included in the tariff?