Ms Maria Graham:

I want to confirm the legislative background on the back yard services which were mentioned is as set out from the time that local authorities had statutory responsibility. As Mr. Grant said, we have focused on the area to ensure that the service is appropriate in terms of what local authorities did. It might be useful to clarify that. Senator Murnane O'Connor referred to investment. A huge amount of investment is going into the area of water services, and will continue in the future. The national development plan earmarks some €8.5 billion, as Mr. Quinn set out. That is organised in a strategic national way. Opportunities are embedded in the water services legislation, when the investment plans are being developed by Irish Water they must engage with local authorities. As I understand it, the current engagement is around the methodology so those priorities can be identified across all the spheres. The investment is increasing. What local authorities are delivering through the service level agreements is the operational staff. They are paid for payroll, pension costs and overheads. The investment decisions across the country are now being made by Irish Water but they are not being made in isolation from a process that stands apart from the service level agreement. That is reflected in the legislation. I wanted to assure members about that component.