Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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That is fine because the aforementioned statement contains a lot of information that sets out details of the system that has been inherited, as well as the objectives of Irish Water. It is important, from a public information perspective, that this be made clear and communicated. Consequently, I welcome it. Ultimately, this is about the customer and providing a quality and efficient service. That is what Irish Water is being established to do and it is clear from Mr. Tierney's opening statement that were Irish Water not established and were the planned level of investment not to be made, we would be in a far worse position, with the assets degrading further and further leakages. I understand more than €1.2 billion per annum is being spent, of which 40% is going into the ground, which is completely unsustainable. Members are aware that this is the standard of network with which Irish Water must deal. Will Mr. Tierney indicate what is the standard of records or the actual asset data Irish Water has inherited from the local authorities? Essentially, is Irish Water starting from a zero point to establish a new asset management system? As Mr. Tierney has noted, the underground pipe network extends to more than 50,000 km and there are 10,000 overground facilities, of which 2,000 are treatment systems. It will be a huge challenge to establish a starting point and then understand maintenance, replacement plans and so on. Is this an entirely new body of work that Irish Water has been obliged to undertake?