Ms Eileen Fitzpatrick:

In current circumstances, it is pragmatic for Irish Water to let the State provide funding. That does not preclude, at any point, Irish Water from returning to commercial markets. Being what they are, commercial lenders will lend to someone if they think they will get an appropriate return at an appropriate level of risk. I do not think deciding to fund Irish Water from State resources would make any material difference or lock Irish Water out of commercial lending forever.