Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

If that is done more people would be employed but there would be no water meters. We would then have to consider a standard household charge to pay for that. A water meter will be more expensive to install but will reduce consumption immediately. Apart from the free amount consumers have, they would want to pay less rather than more. I am not aware of the position in Donegal but I would be happy to examine it and revert to the Deputy. A study will look at this issue. If there is an existing State-owned utility that could perform the functions of Irish water the study will examine and report on it. That might be an important point in regard to the Deputy's remark about privatisation. If an existing State utility can perform those functions effectively, would that be a good idea? The independent report will consider this matter.

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