Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

With regard to the specific issue of water metering that Deputy Cowen has raised, the Government's decision is to establish a State water utility company, which will be done under Bord Gáis. Work is currently under way through Bord Gáis on the modalities of how that company will be established and what steps will then be taken following the establishment of the water utility company. When it comes to the issue of water metering , as the Taoiseach has said, it is anticipated that there will be 2,000 new jobs in that sector. Meetings are taking place between the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, NewERA, the local government system and Bord Gáis on that issue. There is a staged process, the first stage of which is the establishment through Bord Gáis of the water utility company. A programme will then be worked through by the water utility company on how the actual water metering will take place.

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