Mr. Feargal Ó Coigligh:

We know that our leakage rates in the public water supply are much higher than in other countries. The Minister obtained significant additional funding this year for Irish Water, and much of that has gone into a leakage-reduction programme. The general scheme provides general binding rules requiring everyone, including suppliers that are registered and licensed, to keep leakage to a minimum. There are guidelines on measuring or estimating leakage. The reduction of leakage is core.

I will ask Ms Connolly to respond on the issue of temporary abstractions. On the broader principle of how we know the impact, it is the cumulative. I hope that with this legislation, as we develop the information over several years, it will help inform all players of impacts.