Hildegarde Naughton (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is my understanding - I think this was stated earlier - that the CER has no role in setting the actual salary packages in Irish Water. However, it does set the level of costs, and salary plays a part in that. How can the CER, in the public interest, ensure that the utility is paying the appropriate levels of remuneration and getting value for money for the salaries it pays? It seems to me that the CER is looking at it on a macro level. The at-risk salary model is being used at Bord Gáis. Does the commission look at the salaries there with regard to getting value for money? That is important, because it is certainly an issue of public interest and concern at the moment.

In relation to the call-out charges of €188 for the first hour, €282 for out-of-hours call-outs, €142 for any additional hours and €220 to test water pressure, the CER has stated - and I would like to hear it confirmed - that it has not approved those figures. Could the witnesses give a timescale for approval of the figures? Those figures are excessive when we take into account that the weekly dole payment is €188. That is the cost of the first hour alone.

The ESB is responsible for maintenance up to the electricity meter, which is on the side of the house. In the case of Irish Water, the meters are often out on the road or a couple of yards from the house. If the network fails, in this case the customer would be responsible for the network beyond his or her house. If the customer was at fault or it was damage caused by the customer, in most cases a repair would be needed on the network. Are there any plans to review this? It differs from the situation with ESB or Eircom with regard to the network and the point at which the customer is liable.

I agree that the CER should look at establishing a capped or assessed charge until all the meters are in place so that people have certainty about what they are paying. This is a very important factor. There is a lot of fear out there at the moment for customers, and that would provide clarity and allay a lot of the concerns that the public have.