Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chairman. My first question has largely been answered through responses to queries by Deputy Butler so I will not go into detail on the matter to which it relates. That matter involves the healthy tension between the CER, as the regulator, and Irish Water - Ervia - as the deliverer of services. I note the difference in the presentations between Irish Water's plan up to 2021 and beyond and the CER's covering the two years 2017-2018. Perhaps the witnesses could comment on the balance of public interest in getting value for money and efficiencies and in the delivery of clean water and waste services.

My other two questions relate to borrowings. The witnesses gave the figures for borrowings and the various timeframes involved. The Irish Water submission to the committee - in response to questions put to the company - says that a commitment to retain the company in public ownership would, in general, be regarded favourably by external financiers.

We did not deal with public ownership today but this is an issue to do with funding so I ask again whether Irish Water and particularly Ervia, because of its experience with gas, could confirm that a commitment for long-term public ownership can be a positive in terms of external borrowings.

The Chairman pulled up other speakers on the issue of metering-----