Ms Maria Graham:

On rural water, there is obviously huge commitment to the group water sector and rural water. That is reflected in the fact that there is a budget and an investment programme within the Department's Vote. Irish Water has the same legislative powers as local authorities had in relation to rural water in the sense that group water sectors if they seek to be taken over, completely at their choice, then those powers would be initiated but it is not a function of Irish Water to take over from the group water sector. We would be seeking to ensure that sector and the investment we have made in it and will continue to make, continues to be viable and supported and that the quality improvements are made because there are issues around drinking water in the sector. The Minister does have a rural water committee to look at whatever is the water provider, whether through group sewerage schemes, group water schemes, wells on their own or Irish Water to ensure a holistic response because all of our water provision is within the water framework directive and it comes from the same source that we have to protect. There are mechanisms in place to look at it from that perspective.