Mr. Niall Cussen:

Indeed, but Irish Water is a regulated utility and it works within a funding structure that it must work with. It also has to make choices. Returning to the point made by Ms O'Connor, the main aspect concerns ensuring there is robust engagement between the local authorities and Irish Water, and that engagement is being taken heed of in the context of the core strategies. I suspect, however, that we are not going to be able to conclude our discussion of this issue today. A critical part of the vitality of rural Ireland is unlocking the development conundrum and the resulting potential of some of the smaller towns and villages, particularly in the Senator's part of the world in the south-east. In Tipperary, there are approximately 160 or 170 smaller towns and villages. I cannot recall the exact number. We must, therefore, strike a balance between trying to service them all, or the ones deficient in services or infrastructure, and working within a programme, while at the same time supporting sustainable rural development. It will be a major issue for the future.