Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I did not say arbitrary or summary. The issue is the guidelines, frameworks and regulations are clear and one either adheres to them or does not. The lay person following these proceedings would ask the question. We are all subject to regulation, particularly those involved in building or engineering works and there are clear standards to be adhered to. It is not about going about them arbitrarily or any other way. The issue of contention is that Irish Water would have any degree of discretion on the matter. The point is whether recommendations, guidelines and circulars are binding. It is not that Irish Water dealt with them either arbitrarily or summarily. That Irish Water had any flexibility is the issue.