Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

One of the obstacles that is constantly mentioned - it has been mentioned a number of times today - is certainty of funding for Irish Water. In a situation where the State is the sole customer of Irish Water, obviously it will bill the State every year. Is that not funding of a different type from the one about which Ms Graham has spoken in terms of certainty of funding? The State can decide whether it wants to invest in roads. It is not the case that Transport Infrastructure Ireland bills the State every year for a service provided. It is a different type of funding requirement. Is that not the case? It would fall due as a liability rather than be something over which the State would have control in deciding whether to give X or Y amount. The amount billed is a liability rather than being determined by a budgetary decision.