Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Some of those question are not particularly germane to my area of responsibility but I will do my best to answer them. Irish Water is the new flagship State agency. It will be a commercial semi-State body, the largest created since the ESB. It will have a significant quantum of money to invest, not only in respect of water metering but also in the context of water development. Such investment must be made because there is a need to provide clean, safe water for homes, schools and hospitals and also for industry. Increasing numbers of the businesses we are attracting here in the areas of pharmaceuticals and ICT require high-quality water supplies. That is a very important consideration. We need to proceed with this matter in a sustainable way. In the context of global warming, the Deputy is well aware that we will be obliged to put in place measures in respect of areas such as that in which we live, namely, the south east, which it is predicted will experience water deficiencies in the future.

All these matters are fully encompassed by Irish Water, including the addressing of the leaks issue, which is very much on its agenda. We will have a much more sustainable water supply system in place with a uniquely focused Irish Water company.

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