Mr. Jerry Grant:

The objective is to bring all the staff within Irish Water and that is a big part of the discussion to be had. I would like to leave it at that, but the process by which we approach it, how we engage with it and how it happens are all a matter for negotiation.

In terms of operational issues, I acknowledge the challenges around common drains. The Deputy is right that we insist in our new connection standards on a single connection from a house directly to the public sewer.

In our new connection standards, we insist on a single connection from a house directly to the public sewer. It is frankly a shame that that did not happen much sooner. It was a huge issue. The consultation period for the new connection charge regime is ongoing. There is about another month in that. That will be a massive improvement for us because it means that every single house will be charged €1,900 for a water connection, assuming the figure is confirmed by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, CRU. Every sewer will cost approximately €3,500. It is roughly €5,000 between the two.