Mr. Jerry Grant:

In respect of the proposal for a single public utility, everything we are doing and have been doing is consistent with Government policy, which is to establish a public water utility. Whatever its status is, it should be efficient, capable of doing the job and have the right capabilities and expertise to do the job. It is essential we proceed to put the organisation on a footing where it can deliver the best possible service to everybody.

Deputy Barry rightly pointed out that all terms and conditions current staff enjoy are protected by legislation and we intend to honour that. In respect of new hires, whether in Irish Water or any other part of Ervia for that matter, the salaries, terms and conditions are competitive and consistent with public sector salaries. Nothing we have done regarding the people we have employed or their terms and conditions would suggest anything to the contrary and, in fact, running a business like ours needs the best and most highly qualified people. What we want to see is-----