Mr. John Mullins:

The framework agreements will have to be advertised in the local press, a point on which we insisted. Not everyone at small and medium-sized enterprise level would not access to e-tenders. It is important that there be as much public information as possible on the framework agreements.

There are many people examining water harvesting for toilet usage. From a sustainability point of view, this has merit in providing water for other uses in public and private buildings. There are private entities starting to sell services and products for water harvesting.

The first round of public information on Irish Water is set to take place in January 2013. It will indicate what the utility is about, its programme and detail many of the issues discussed today. With water meters, we might secure a 10% consumption reduction, but it will not deal with the material issues on the arterial routes of the water network. This issue will have to be addressed in an overall programme over 15 years.

In responding to flooding and on the Office of Public Works working with local authorities, the existing arrangements will continue. We are planning to establish regional contacts and direct line contact with all Deputies, Senators, councillors and public representatives. Issues will arise and we will have to have skilled personnel to answer questions and deal with action items. I receive plenty of letters from Oireachtas Members about gas customer accounts which we try to answer to the best of our ability. We will do the same in Irish Water, but it will be on a much grander scale.

The abolition of urban district councils, UDCs, and the amalgamation of their services is a matter for the local authorities.

I am unsure whether it will happen before or after the transfer of assets to Irish Water in 2014; I do not have clarity on the issue at this stage. Perhaps the committee might have. Fundamentally, it is an issue to be contended with in the context of urban district councils and town commissions being abolished. I hope I have responded to all of the questions asked.