Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

-----allocating responsibility for the establishment of Irish Water to Bord Gáis Éireann. The Government also made a decision that there would be no up-front charge and that charges would not be imposed until 2014. The Government will also make the decision regarding the free allowance consumers will receive in respect of water. However, in accordance with tradition, the regulator will have responsibility for the structure and the detail of what will be involved.

The ESB has been a public utility company for very many years. Neither I nor the Deputy can inform people as to what will be the cost of electricity in five years' time. It is daft to ask what will be the charge for water when the details of the matter have not even been discussed or worked out. The relevant regulator will have responsibility in this area.

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