Ms Maria Graham:

I forgot to answer the Deputy's question on the European Court of Justice. I apologise for that. Mr. Grant has mentioned working through the programme. In terms of the case itself, we have been referred to the court. We do not have a timeline or date for that case but we have submitted our defence. We are also finalising the river basin management plans, because compliance with waste water legislation is a particular component of that matter.

We might have an opportunity to discuss that with the committee on a separate date. That also deals with functions that local authorities retain in the wider water environment area, which we are supporting, particularly through a local authority water communities office. There are areas within the water space where the roles of local authorities are evolving, changing and expanding.