Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chairman. The advice I was given was that the utility should be a stand-alone company. It should never have been, and it was never intended that it would be, part of another. Bord Gáis, in helping to set it up, was saying it would not cost more than €20 million and that it would be a stand-alone company. It is not a stand-alone company and it does not look like it will ever be.

I detect a lack of transparency in the comments of Mr. Grant. He says he will not release details of management meetings. This is what freedom of information guidelines require him to do. A comparable body, called the HSE, releases details. If a company wants to hide matters, it should not release details but it must be accountable. It is now up to the Office of the Information Commissioner to hold Irish Water accountable. Mr. Grant has great personal credibility but if Irish Water, as an entity, expects to have credibility in carrying on as it has done, it is utterly unacceptable.

My question on the financial settlements to the former chief executives of Ervia and Irish Water was not answered. What is the position regarding these?