Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am not surprised that Deputy Higgins disagrees with the manner in which we are setting up a semi-state company to deliver, efficiently and effectively, a service that is not being delivered effectively and efficiently through 34 local authorities. We are spending €1.2 billion of taxpayer's money - or working people's money, as Deputy Higgins would have it - to deliver this essential facility through 34 local authorities, but 40% of it is going into the ground in the form of unaccounted-for water. In recent years we have invested in replacing some of the pipe network but we are not able to keep up because of the constraints on the public finances due to the reckless policies pursued in the past. There is also a troika agreement to be met. If we want additional moneys for capital investment in our water infrastructure, we must cut back elsewhere. Can Deputy Higgins make any suggestions as to where we can cut back? Can we cut back in housing, health or education in order to deliver this essential service? We have significant constraints on water supplies in Dublin, including in Deputy Higgins's constituency, and the greater Dublin area. We have significant challenges in terms of capital investment. Can the Deputy tell me where we can get the money?

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