Ms Maria Graham:

Yes, a slightly reduced commercial rate may be charged to reflect the payment of an upfront capital charge. The user may receive a lower rate than other users in terms of the commercial rate. There have been instances around the country where a major user has funded essential infrastructure that was provided by the local authority.

I have outlined the current system. Under the normal utility model used by Irish Water that would move to a connection charge and a system of non-domestic charges. As I understand it from CER, the process will take time.

There is no connection between the cessation of metering and borrowing capacity. Borrowing is unsecured lending. It is based on the amount of borrowing that Irish Water wishes to raise and the fact that it will have an income, from whatever source, to fund same. That is not an issue.