Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Will Uisce Éireann come back to the committee with a reply on the number of mains replacements that have taken place since 2014, when it became operational? What was the spend each year on mains replacements?

I have questions about two specific schemes. I refer to the taking in charge of estates put in place by developers. I will mention two particular ones in County Laois. There is a bit of head-scratching going on over them. One is the Limekiln estate in Clogh. It is a very small scheme of about 20 houses. It is a reed bed, I understand, which at the time was an environmentally friendly solution. As far as I am aware, there are still no great problems with it. It is working well but there is a block in that Uisce Éireann refuses to take it in charge. Perhaps there is a good reason for that. Will Uisce Éireann come back to the committee on that?

The other estate I would like to mention is Woodgrove, which is next door to me in Portlaoise. The local authority has spent substantial amounts of money upgrading it. It goes back to the time when I was a councillor. It was built about 25 years ago; certainly well over 20. Part of it was built 25 years ago. It needs to be taken in charge. If there is a problem with it, what is it? Water services engineers in the council who have now retired failed to get this over this line. Will Uisce Éireann come back to me on that matter, please?

That concludes the questioning. I thank the witnesses and the staff. I know that a few of the witnesses from the CRU got a flight this morning. I thank the Department, Uisce Éireann and the CRU for their work in preparing for today's meeting. I also thank the Comptroller and Auditor General and his staff for attending today and assisting the committee.

Is it agreed that the clerk will seek any follow-up information required and carry out any agreed actions arising from this meeting? Agreed. Is it also agreed that we note and publish the opening statements and briefings provided for today's meeting? Agreed. We will resume in public session in an hour to address business of the committee and correspondence. Go raibh míle maith agaibh.