Mr. David Wright:

During this period, good statistics have been gathered from the meters that have been put in place. We are better informed than we have been. What is currently proposed seems to be fair and equitable. Whether what is proposed should stay as it is for all its life is another question. The metering process will continue so we will be better informed statistically. We will have better equipment and better specifications in houses. I do not regard this as a revenue-generating idea but as a water-conservation idea. That is a key point. People are overly focused on the economics, which I acknowledge is very important, but the engagement of local communities is also very important. Education is equally important.

A complaint I hear from Irish Water is that there is fragmented infrastructure with 900 schemes and that the average number elsewhere is much lower. The 900 schemes, however, present a great opportunity to talk to local communities. Where I was born and reared, I know the lake from which the water comes, where it is treated and where it ends up. It is a matter of getting the whole community engaged.

For the present, we have a figure. I have not had an opportunity for research but, on the face of it, this matter should never be seen as a matter of revenue but as a matter of conservation. That should be reviewed later in light of experience with grants.