John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)

The charge is Kilkenny is €3 per cubic metre of water, based on the "water in, water out" principle. The regulator has to consider all of that when it sets the price. Will the real figure of €500 per household come into play when that happens? This is what people are concerned about. I am raising it because I am concerned too. I would like a business plan to be put in place. The Government should evaluate the profitability or otherwise of a €3 rate per cubic metre of water, based on the "water in, water out" principle. I have taken the highest figure. Is it profitable to provide treated water to the commercial world, or indeed to households, at that rate? The Minister of State cannot answer that question.

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