Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Today we were discussing equity, fairness and conservation. The expert commission under Mr. Duffy reported that the necessary measures should be put in place to give effect to the commitment that those who have paid their water bills to date will be treated no less favourably than those who have not. I firmly believe that a huge portion of our deliberations will be based on the issue so we must have specific figures in order for us to arrive at some sort of decision or consensus. My question is for Ms Graham. What is the estimated cost of refunding Irish Water payments? We will have to have figures in order to thrash this out because equity and fairness plays a huge part in our role. That is the first question.

If a decision is taken later that Irish Water payments would be refunded, should it take the form of a tax credit or direct payment? My third question is whether the water conservation grant payment of €100 per household last year be subtracted from the figure.