Mr. Garrett Blaney:

I will take the question on the comparison with the electricity system first. I would agree with Deputy Coffey that we were in a similar situation when the CER was first formed, that there had been a lack of capital investment. Possibly, it was not as bad as we see in the water system, but there certainly had been under-investment in the electricity system. We must achieve a balance here. Obviously, there are major investments needed. We need to ensure the priorities are correct. We, as the regulator, need to guard against any gold plating or persons building what is not absolutely necessary because there is a strong cost element to all of this and we want to ensure consumers are protected in those costs.

We will try to have the same level of standard throughout the country in order that there is no sense of one place taking priority over another. We will also need to factor in large industries where they come along. Water provision, similar to electricity and gas provision, can be a major determinant for them coming into the country. We will try to factor that in and ensure that is facilitated. It is obviously important from a regional point of view and a national point of view that inward direct investment is not frustrated by a lack of water infrastructure. In general, I would agree with the Deputy. That is quite important and we will try to do that in as cost-effective a manner as possible. I will hand over to Mr. McGowan.