Mr. Paul McGowan:

Regarding the allowance, the ministerial direction is clear. The allowance per child has been identified as 38,000 litres but if there is analysis that shows the number is different, that should be taken on board. This is a matter of equity. As Ms Mannion pointed out earlier, if the allowance of 38,000 litres is too high, essentially, people with no children would be cross-subsidising people who have children. It is important that we know whether the number is right. That does not mean that because Irish Water says the number is wrong we will accept what it says without question. It has to convince us that 38,000 litres is not the right number in terms of the correct allowance for children. We expect to see robust statistical analysis coming from Irish Water, possibly even peer reviewed, to ensure it is adequate.