Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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The point was to keep a reserve to deal with an interrupted supply.

The security of supply in Garryhinch - the water is there and it can be pumped - was a huge benefit, and that was the point of Garryhinch. I know it is now not going to happen, but the economic model or cost-benefit analysis did not include the social benefits, the employment benefits, the huge potential of the whole plan. I am concerned about it. I know the costs have gone down significantly compared to costs I looked at, but what is happening now is very regrettable.

Mr. Grant spoke about the timeline being extended out. I do not think we can afford that time. If there is such a small headway in terms of supply and demand, and if the project is pushed back to the mid-2020s or 2025, there is going to be a crisis before that time.