Mr. Brendan O'Brien:

A question has been asked about efficiencies and inefficiencies. Without going into too much detail or being critical, our members have told us that Irish Water has unnecessarily spent money. For example, Irish Water has replaced equipment that works but yet has not replaced equipment that should be replaced. Such matters can be addressed through direct discussions that therefore would improve efficiencies. I agree with Mr. Berney that there is no issue with the amount of staff. If anything, we believe Irish Water is understaffed, which is a matter that needs to be addressed.

As for efficiencies, while I could go into more detail about that subject, there is scope for discussion on where Irish Water's resources could be better spent elsewhere. We would welcome a conversation on that matter.

I wish to echo the point that Mr. Berney made about providing voluntary redundancy packages. The initiative would act like a red flag to a bull and would antagonise our members. As has been said, our members have dedicated their lives to providing services through the water service. A voluntary redundancy package for employees would send a completely wrong message to our members as to how the Government is positioning itself on the future of Irish Water. A redundancy package would be viewed as writing our people out of the script. Our members have conveyed to us that they would prefer this question to be settled over the coming period to everybody's satisfaction, and sooner rather than later.