Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

Sure. They took risks of fines and penalties and the threat of the law that was used against them, the threat of appearance in court. There is a debt of gratitude owed to those households. I welcome the refund of €173 million for the 990,000 households and will be supporting it.

The first question from Deputy Barry related to the implications for those workers transferred to Irish Water in terms of their pay and pensions. This is really an issue for the next meeting but if the Minister wishes to answer it, he may do so.