Tony McCormack (Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Contractors will say they are making single-digit profits but sometimes it is probably a bit more than that in real terms. We will not get into that. Big salaries and so on.

The project to take water from Parteen as far as Dublin is huge and very much needed. My ask is about the spurs relating to Tullamore and Mullingar. Uisce Éireann mentioned Mullingar. It is absolutely ludicrous not to do that in the first phase. We should make sure it is done. Leaving it to a later phase means it may not happen for 20 years. We know the way things work out. In light of the problems it is having in Mullingar, Uisce Éireann has said it needs that spur. This means it will have to happen. Going back to value for money, it would be cheaper to get it done now than in ten or 20 years’ time. It will also provide growth for the midlands such that the towns there can grow, the people who live there will be able to get jobs and all the necessary infrastructure can be built.

I have been told the consultation process needs to be a bit better. Also, the area comprising south Offaly and north Tipperary is a hotbed for TB. That will have to be looked at. What other plans does Uisce Éireann have to look after the wildlife when this project is going on?