Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Is the witness taking note of all the questions in respect of which Uisce Éireann will respond? A timely response would be welcomed by everybody who asked those questions.

The next slot is mine. I thank Uisce Éireann's representatives for their attendance. The establishment of Irish Water was an important step in managing our water supplies and systems. It was a big challenge to try to bring the 31 local authorities which were managing separate water systems under one umbrella but it has helped with strategic, long-term thinking and bringing a standardised approach across all management of the water system. That is notwithstanding the expertise in our local authorities. I worked with local authority caretakers in drinking water plants and wastewater treatment plants. They knew their plants inside out. I know Uisce Éireann recognises the real knowledge on the ground in our local authorities, such as where the networks and pipes are, where the issues are, and the little quirks and anomalies in the systems which local operators know, having worked in the systems for 30 years.

I wish to look at some more strategic stuff. It was stated that the target for the leakage reduction plan is to get to about 20% by 2030. Is that an industry standard? Is it a high-ambition target? What are we talking about in cities like Dublin or Cork, which still have aspects of the Victorian pipe network?