Ms Sheenagh Rooney:

We have put in place a performance assessment framework similar to what is in place in Wales and Scotland by which we are going to measure the performance of Irish Water on an ongoing basis. For example, in terms of leakage, Irish Water has committed, between 2017 and 2018, to reduce leakage by 117 megalitres per day of savings. Irish Water, in return for the revenue it will get for 2017 and 2018, has committed to achieving that target, and that is something we will not only monitor but also publish information on over time.

As part of the capital investment programme that we have approved for Irish Water it has committed to various actions to reduce leaks as part of that programme. For example, district metering has been measured, and there is a commitment from Irish Water on that. There is also a commitment to mains rehabilitation, the find and fix programme and pressure management programme. Irish Water, as part of the approved capital investment programme, has measures in place to get that leakage rate down, and we will be monitoring it over time.