Richard O'Donoghue (Limerick County, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their presentation. One of the first things stated today was the importance of Dublin. Dublin may be important as the capital, but Limerick is equally important, especially when one is talking about the Shannon and abstractions from it. My questions relate to the 25 cu. m threshold previously mentioned and the issue raised by Senator Cummins. There are many schemes in rural areas. A cluster of smaller schemes may be set up under one scheme, and those schemes have not yet been taken over by the local authorities. What is the registration point for such schemes, which could include ten, 15 or even 20 houses?

Deputy Ó Broin also stated that 25 cu. m of water is equal to the usage of 220 people. However, it is not equal to the usage of many cattle in a rural area, when one has to supply different amounts of water to the cattle, depending on the time of year.

Another question I have concerns the point of registration for local authorities, such as fire stations. How does one monitor the water usage of a fire station or a fire service training centre? I do not think one can. What is the regulation in that area within the current framework?