Mr. Joe McGrath:

It would be unfair of me to point the finger in respect of any one body concerning this issue. The reality is that its resolution will require several State bodies to come together, including the Department, the local authority sector and Irish Water. Potentially, the EPA will also be included, but this body will not be front and centre in this regard.

A transformation process is ongoing. It is dealing with aspects such as this issue in respect of legacy matters around the transformation and transfer of water services. This committee is dealing with a petition from one estate and I accept that the committee wants to get a resolution to this issue. We have come before the committee today with the hope of assisting the committee to get this resolution. Potentially, however, there are 800 estates in this position. This is not a minor issue. This is quite a significant issue and, potentially, there are 800 estates across the country with DPIs. The means by which these estates' problems are addressed will take time. I also expect some considerable cost will be associated with undertaking this endeavour. I refer to a delayed process through the framework agreement regarding how this issue might be resolved.