Mr. John McCarthy:

The rates have been factored into the figures I spoke about. The €130 million is a water conservation grant that is to be available to all households. It is not a part of the Irish Water financing model, no more than the fuel allowance that goes to some households is a part of the electricity supply companies' financial models. It is a completely separate track.

In terms of the Ombudsman, the standard practice for utility companies is that they do not come within the Ombudsman's remit but the importance of ensuring that there are dispute determination mechanisms in place is understood. In the legislation passed late last year a dispute resolution mechanism will be put in place through the Commission for Energy Regulation, having gone through internal dispute resolution procedures initially with Irish Water, which should deal with most issues, but there needs to be a separate dispute resolution mechanism, and that is provided for in the legislation.