Mr. Michael McDermott:

As my colleague, Mr. Condon, pointed out, a pre-application inquiry was submitted in early 2021. The process for a connection application with Uisce Éireann first requires a pre-application inquiry. That is assessed by Uisce Éireann to determine whether a connection is feasible. It comes back to state a connection is feasible under certain conditions. We do not apply for a full application for a connection with Uisce Éireann until we are sure a project is progressing because there is a time period for applications received by Uisce Éireann. Applications only last for 90 days and the connection charges must be paid within that period. In addition, we do not know the full details required to submit a full application to Uisce Éireann until a consultant has been procured and appointed and a design has been done. It is when a design has been completed, tender documents have been sent for tender and it is likely that a contractor will be appointed that we would normally submit a full connection application on any such project. A pre-connection inquiry was submitted in early 2021.