Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)

Yes, it is the consumers. There is an argument that taxpayers are consumers. I am open to discussion as to whether they should pay directly or through taxes.

Deputy Durkan referred to a private company. The Department received correspondence from that company but, so far as I know, it has not approached CER, which would be the first port of call. I understand the company has not contacted my counterpart in Wales as I met him four or five weeks ago and he was not aware of it. Perhaps it has made contacts more recently but, up to two or three weeks ago, it had not made contacts like that, although it claims to have finance in place.

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